AICCM'S Inaugural Touring Exhibition Concludes at Oklahoma History Center
August 20, 2007 - September 29, 2007

Contact: Michael Dean
(405) 522-5241

Oklahoma City, OK
August 20, 2007
For Immediate Release

The American Indian Cultural Center & Museum's very successful inaugural touring exhibition, "Art from Indian Territory 2007: the state of being American Indian" makes its final appearance at the Oklahoma History Center from August 20, 2007 - September 29, 2007. There will be a reception that is open to the public on Tuesday, September 25, 2007 from 5-7pm in the Chesapeake Room. A century after statehood, what does it mean to be an American Indian in Oklahoma? How do Indian's identify themselves in a contemporary context? What is considered Indian Art? "Art from Indian Territory 2007: the state of being American Indian" reveals the complex undercurrents that encompass these issues. Co-Curators Mary Jo Watson and Heather Ahtone assembled an amazing group of artists, representing the diversity and complexities surrounding Contemporary Indian Art. They also created an accompanying catalogue which offers a brief look at Oklahoma Indian Art and how these artists identify themselves based on the three cohesive themes. The exhibition tour is sponsored by the Chickasaw Nation and the Oklahoma History Center site is sponsored, in part, by the University of Oklahoma School of Fine Art, Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Art.

Indian Artists have been asked to initiate a dialogue, in their visual language, that would stimulate an ongoing discussion. As the exhibit traveled to five different regions throughout the state, it provided rural residents with an opportunity to see the multi-faceted artwork of contemporary Native Artists. It also offered a brief history which chronicled representative works from each decade beginning with some of the well known precedents such as: Ledger Art, Kiowa 5+1 and boarding school art programs; and culminate with a display of contemporary Native Art that expresses Indian culture at this significant moment in Oklahoma's History.

"Art From Indian Territory 2007" toured the state at these locations: Southwestern Oklahoma State University, Weatherford; Southern Plains Indian Museum, Anadarko; Muscogee (Creek) Nation Capitol Complex, Okmulgee, South Eastern Oklahoma State University, Durant and concludes at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, OK. To see some of the touring locations log onto www.aiccm.org.

"It doesn't take long, in a discussion about Indian art, for the question to arise 'What is Indian Art?' At the core of this question lies the rhetorical and existential question of identity," says Mary Jo Watson, Co-Curator for the exhibition. The exhibit has been arranged around three themes that pertain to Oklahoma Indian identity. These themes are: Intimacy - artists whose families and tribes have a history in Oklahoma. Multiplicity - artists who count more the one tribe or race in their heritage. Geography - artists whose tribes are not located in Oklahoma, but who consider themselves Oklahomans.

Participating artists were asked to self-identify with one of the above themes. Jereldine Redcorn's selection of "Intimacy" embraces her Caddo heritage and the tribe's history with this place. Her use of circular patterns and gourd-like shapes reminiscent of the Spiro culture perpetuates a living connection with her past through her contemporary expressions. Tom Fields' photography often captures the intimate moments that only a community member witnesses. His photo of a drum stick hitting a water drum captures the dance of water on the drum surface and brings a distinctly American Indian aesthetic to this non-traditional medium.

Co-Curator, Heather Ahtone suggests, "Identity is often subject to someone else's discriminating identification." Tony Tiger and Matt Bearden both selected Multiplicity because each were raised within communities where their tribes were not the dominant culture.

Geography can also be an important identifier, especially in a state where tribes were relocated from other regions. American Indians who come to Oklahoma from other regions are usually well supported by the local Indian community because there is an inherent understanding relating to the experience of relocation. Marwin Begaye comments, "My wife is from Oklahoma and when we moved here we started to be a part of the unique Oklahoma community. By being a part of this community, you start noticing the social issues that are common." Begaye's attention to some of the common social and popular culture issues have been equally embraced by the Oklahoma community, as well as within his home community.

The American Indian Community has evolved considerably throughout the last century. This exhibition will visually narrate the journey between ancient traditions and an adaptive spirit that embraces innovation.

Exhibition Artists include: Brent Greenwood, Joanna Underwood, Daniel Worcester, Matt Bearden, Heidi Bigknife, Tom Fields, Tony Tiger, Anita Fields, Kennetha Greenwood, Ben Harjo Jr., America Meredith, Gerald Cournoyer, Joshua Hinson, Marwin Begaye, Nathan Hart, Jereldine Redcorn, Richard Ray Whitman, Susan Shannon, Rachel Dew and Sharron Ahtone-Harjo.