Overview
This transcript discusses the planning and opening of Wendy Red Star’s mid-career retrospective exhibition "A Scratch on the Earth" at the Newark Museum, highlighting her exploration of Crow identity, Native American representation, and cultural preservation through art.
Exhibition Background and Planning
- The exhibition marks over a year of preparation and collaboration.
- Wendy Red Star’s work focuses on her identity as a member of the Crow tribe.
- The Newark Museum was chosen for its significant collection of historic and contemporary Native American art.
- Museum galleries dedicated to Native artists opened in 2016, increasing connections with local Lenni-Lenape communities.
Artistic Themes and Early Influences
- Wendy reflected on her experiences missing home during graduate school, seeking Crow artifacts in museums.
- Her visit to the Natural History Museum inspired her to create art addressing museum representation of Native cultures.
- She recognized that museum displays often make it seem like Native people no longer exist.
Signature Works and Native American Representation
- The "Four Seasons" photographs launched Wendy’s career, focusing on Native American history and her Crow upbringing.
- Wendy educates viewers about the lack of general awareness regarding Native people and their history.
- She explored cultural imagery, questioning public knowledge about Native figures used in mainstream culture.
Historical Research and New Projects
- Wendy’s inquiry into archival photos of Medicine Crow led to discovering a broader history involving peace delegations and land negotiations in 1880.
- Her research process involved reviewing archives, leading to deeper exploration about Crow leaders and US government interactions.
Contemporary Life on the Crow Reservation
- Wendy’s "Home is Where My Tepee Sets" series documents modern life and landscapes on the Crow Reservation.
- She highlights the drastic reduction of Crow land from 38 million to 2.25 million acres.
- The series features everyday reservation objects such as repurposed cars and sweat lodges, emphasizing their functional and cultural significance.
Sweat Lodge Installation and Cultural Interpretation
- Wendy built a sweat lodge installation at the Newark Museum, offering visitors an immersive experience.
- The sweat lodge serves as a spiritual retreat for the Crow people.
- Wendy emphasizes the cultural richness and resilience of her community despite external perceptions of poverty.
Decisions
- Host Wendy Red Star’s retrospective at the Newark Museum to highlight Native American art and history.
Action Items
- TBD – Wendy Red Star / Museum Team: Continue public engagement and educational programming related to the exhibition.