Based on the notion of dialogue, Hear My Voice: Native American Art of the Past and Present explores conversations between Native American artists and their art across centuries, a continent, and 35 indigenous cultures. A total of 56 works illustrate the ways in which Native American art speaks of a shared knowledge and shared history while also being incredibly diverse in subject matter and medium. Organized into three themes, or types of dialogue, the exhibition explores how Native American artists relate to the natural world, their community, and the outside world and how those relationships affect their identity and work.

Hear My Voice: Native American Art of the Past and Present is curated by Dr. Johanna Minich, Assistant Curator of Native American Art. Works in the exhibition are drawn from the museum’s collection as well as loans from other institutions and individuals. Hear My Voice is a statewide exhibition and will travel to the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley in Winchester and the Taubman Museum of Art in Roanoke in 2018. The statewide tour is generously sponsored by The Schiller Family.

War Shirt
War Shirt

War Shirt

1850–80, unidentified Crow artist, elk or antelope hide, porcupine quills, muslin, ermine, horsehair, glass beads, pigment. From the Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection, Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund

Deception
Deception

Deception

2014, Jeremy Frey (American, born 1978), brown ash, cedar bark, spruce root, natural dye. Kathleen Boone Samuels Memorial Fund

Steu and Cuda
Steu and Cuda

Steu and Cuda

2014, Virgil Ortiz (American, born 1969), clay, slip and wild spinach paint. Adolph D. and Wilkins C. Williams Fund

Raven Rattle
Raven Rattle

Raven Rattle

ca. 1890, unknown Tsimshian artist, wood, pigment. Robert and Nancy Nooter Collection

 

Sponsors

 

The Schiller Family
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Canvas at VMFA

An Anonymous Donor

“Hear My Voice,” speaks to understanding and respect for other cultures in every era. — By Charles Fishburne (Community idea stations)

‘Hear My Voice’ exhibit opens at VMFA — By Sara Dignan (WRIC)

VMFA exhibit opens the dialogue of Native American art in the past and present — By Mary Lee Clark (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

 

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