David W. Penney

"A illustrated introduction to the history of Native American art, distinguished by its broad coverage and nuanced discussion." "This narrative draws upon Native American history, the testimonies of oral tradition and the latest research in North American archaeology." "Strong focus on the individual artists, their roles in society, their communities, and on the cultural and social contexts of the objects they created."--BOOK JACKET.

A look at the various expressions of Indian art over the centuries, including archaeology, dress, materials, pottery, basket-making, painting and sculpture.

Native American art is the visual language of an extraordinary people, and its objects and images speak eloquently of a rich history and culture. Native American Art Masterpieces tells the story of that language, from its early origins in the Hopewell period that began in 200 B.C. through to modern-day America, with its powerful images by contemporary Native American artists like Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith and Margaret Tafoya. Forty-eight color reproductions, each accompanied by an essay exploring the art's cultural, historical, and ceremonial significance, reveal the deeply rooted traditions and innovative craftsmanship of the Native American aesthetic. In addition to the historic pieces which make up the core of traditional Native American art are works from modern-day masters, the painters and sculptors of the twentieth century. From the turn of the century to the present, Native artists have looked to the past and projected into the future in their efforts to identify "Native Indian art," and, as seen here in the works of artists such as George Longfish and Kay Walkingstick, their search has resulted in a body of work that confronts the issue with uncompromising directness.

Native American arts and crafts are enjoying renewed appreciation and increasing recognition as a vital part of America's cultural heritage. This volume, a magnificent collection of full-color photographs and incisive commentary, presents the richness and celebrates the diversity of this centuries-old tradition and places it within a larger historical and social context. The artistic tradition explored in this book emerged as the snows of the last Ice Age melted, nearly 20,000 years ago. Native American Art displays the astonishing array of both utilitarian and ceremonial objects produced by America's earliest peoples. Native American Art features works from every part of the United States, executed in many different media. Lively descriptions identify elements that characterize the works of each historic period, geographic region, and culture, as well as reveal ideas about art, imagery, and spiritualism embodied in these works.

"Illustrated with 70 color images of visually powerful historical and contemporary works, this book--which accompanies an exhibition of the same title opening in August 2013 at the National Museum of the American Indian in New York--reveals how Anishinaabe (also known in the United States as Ojibwe or Chippewa) artists have expressed the deeply rooted spiritual and social dimensions of their relations with the Great Lakes region"--