| Non-Western Art and Culture | Native American Montana

For our assignment on non-western art, I chose to portray Native American Art and Culture, specifically in the state of Montana. Native American art is diverse and nomadic. Art was not used specifically for aesthetics only. The tribes were/are nomadic and had to create portable pieces used in everyday life or ceremonial pieces. Specific art designs were unique to tribes and could be found in totem poles, pottery, clothing, blankets, teepees, jewelry, etc. Native American art is considered Non-Western because it is not derived from European or white North American art. It is its own entity.

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| Blackfeet |Siksika ‘prairie people’

Below are three pictures of Blackfeet Native Americans and their culture. Art can be viewed on their tipis/homes and in their clothing, hairstyles, and horse accessories. 

The Chiewyan. The Western woods Cree. The Sarsi Vol. 18, Plate 633. Special Collections, Mansfield Library, The University of Montana, Missoula

Three Blackfeet Tipis, Blackfeet Indian Reservation, Browning, Montana

Blackfoot Peace Pipe

I love the photographs of Native Americans and deeply respect their culture and history. The first two photographs show a unique style in the artwork that covers the tipis. Again, I deeply respect the time and talent it took to create this form of art out of animal hide. The third photograph highlights the art used in Native American clothing. The eloquent beadwork. The Details in the pant bottoms and the intricate leather work on their footwear. 

Running Eagle Blackfeet Warrior Woman

Above is modern artwork created by a Blackfoot Native, Guardipee. This piece draws upon the real figure, Mountain Chief and a noted Blackfeet woman named Running Eagle. She’s the person for whom Running Eagle Falls in Glacier National Park is named. I love the color in this piece. The beautiful details on the horse contrast with the black body of the horse. I also love the modern maps and papers used in the background of this piece.

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| Crow| Apsaalooka

Crow Indian Scout by Kevin Red Star

Kevin Red Star’s art is honored throughout Native America for its authenticity. Kevin Red Star grew up on the Crow Reservation in southern Montana. I absolutely love Kevin Red Star’s work, especially this piece Crow Indian Scout. I find the color the most striking. I love the contrasting/complementary colors. The vertical lines on the face create a visual juxtaposition to the horizontal lines of the beadwork necklaces. A subtle detail I love is that I cannot view the scout’s eyes.

 

| Salish/Kootenai |

10,000 Years Indigenous Indian People / 200 Years Lewis and Clark (Lewis and Clark Series #6) by Corwin Clairmont

This piece is visually striking to me because of the color usage and the abstract blending. I wish I could have found a description of this piece because I feel it has a very interesting meaning. I can see buffalo and Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Some of the more abstract objects, I cannot clearly define.

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| Works Cited |

Missoula Art Museum. “Object Record.” Clairmont, Corwin | Missoula Art Museum (pastperfectonline.com). Accessed 4.27.23

Montana State Library. Three Blackfeet Tipis. Three Blackfeet tipis | Montana History Portal (mtmemory.org). Accessed on 4.27.23

Newby, Rick. “Montana’s Indian Country.” Montana's Indian Country - Discover Lewis & Clark (lewis-clark.org). Accessed on 4.27.23

Nixon, Lance. Distinctly Montana. “Keeping Accounts: Ledger Artists Celebrate the Blackfeet in Montana.” Keeping Accounts: Ledger Artists Celebrate the Blackfeet in Montana (distinctlymontana.com). Accessed on 4.27.23

Red Star, Kevin. “Kevin Red Star.” Available Paintings – Kevin Red Star. Accessed on 4.27.23

Weiser-Alexander/Legends of America, Kathy. “The Blackfoot Indians – “Real” People of Montana.” The Blackfoot Indians – “Real” People of Montana – Legends of America. Accessed on 4.27.23