Into the Mirror
Into the Mirror features works by 20 Native American artists from the museum’s permanent collection.
Ranging from 1878 to the present, these pieces and were chosen because they are works by Native Americans depicting Native Americans. Since the beginning of colonization, representations of Indigenous peoples have been controversial, ranging from overly romantic and idealized to racist caricatures. This exhibit holds the spotlight on how Indigenous people represent themselves.
The earliest work in the exhibit was created by artist Buffalo Meat (Cheyenne), 1847–1917, who was a prisoner at Fort Marion at the time of his creations. Contemporary artists include Brent Learned (Cheyenne-Arapaho) and Sharon Ahtone-Harjo (Kiowa). The exhibit also includes works by Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Crumbo (Citizen Potawatomi), 1912–89; Enoch Kelly Haney (Seminole/Mvskoke), 1940–2022; Woodrow Wilson “Woody” Big Bow (Kiowa), 1914–88, and Archie Blackowl (Cheyenne), 1911–92. A variety of media are represented including oil, acrylic, watercolor, casein, pencil sketches, lithographs, and bronze sculpture.
Fight Between, 1879, by Buffalo Meat (Cheyenne). Colored pencil, crayon, watercolor, and graphite on ledger paper (01042.001, Oklahoma Historical Society Collection).
