Native Fashion
Native Fashion features traditional garments, powwow regalia, streetwear, accessories, haute couture, photography, and contemporary art by national and local Indigenous designers alongside examples from the Spencer Museum's collection. The exhibition highlights the artistic richness of wearable artworks and their connection to historical and contemporary culture as expressions of tribal and personal identity. An accompanying runway show will showcase the talent of contemporary makers and remind visitors that display cases are not the natural context for Indigenous apparel. The exhibition examines the role fashion and adornment play in Indigenous lifeways through four themes that were developed in collaboration with a team of Native community advisors:
“Resilience” features Indigenous genius through innovation, technology, and resourceful use of materials, including how trade among Native groups and later Europeans affected craft, design, and embellishment.
“Representation” celebrates the diversity that exists among tribal nations, featuring various styles of traditional and contemporary dress while educating the public about the differences between cultural appropriation and appreciation.
“Resistance” examines the impact of colonization, government policies, and activism on Indigenous identity and dress, including the ways in which activist groups utilized wearable symbols for awareness and solidarity.
“Relations” highlights artists, designers, and storytellers within Lawrence and the surrounding region. An interactive display will feature portraits of Indigenous community members taken by photography students at Haskell Indian Nations University.
This exhibition and related programming are supported by a KU Office of Research Racial Equity Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity Award; a City of Lawrence Community Arts Grant; KU Student Senate; Friends of the Art Museum; the Linda Inman Bailey Exhibitions Fund; and generous donations from Patrick Musick, Kevin Boatright, and Beth Schultz.
