Things you know but cannot explain

Neo-Expressionism/Pop art, PC Art

By nbailey3211
  • Fritz Scholder, Indian with Beer Can, 1969, Oil on canvas, 61cm x 61cm, Ralph Lauren collection

    Fritz Scholder, Indian with Beer Can, 1969, Oil on canvas, 61cm x 61cm, Ralph Lauren collection

    In this painting, the artist purposefully makes the distorted Native man and a beer can the focal point of the piece. Moreover, this is a post-colonial art work that shows the realism of colonial stereotypes that were placed on native people during this time period.
  • Fritz Scholder, Bicentennial Indian, 1974, Lithograph, 22'' x 30'', MoMA

    Fritz Scholder, Bicentennial Indian, 1974, Lithograph, 22'' x 30'', MoMA

    This piece alludes intensity as the native figure is depicted with the prominent American flag, draped over the lap of the figure wearing cultural garment. This lithograph brings awareness to the relationship between Indigenous peoples and America. Lastly, the composition is emphasizing an encoded message. "What is your definition of freedom?"
  • Kay Walkingstick, Two Women II, 1974, Acrylic on canvas, 107.6 x 112.1 cm, SAAM

    Kay Walkingstick, Two Women II, 1974, Acrylic on canvas, 107.6 x 112.1 cm, SAAM

    The artist (whom has Indigenous roots,) created this art piece emphasizing unity in a female physiological space. Indigenous women were not strongly represented in art; therefore, she reclaims a sense of self-identity through this portrait.
  • T.C Cannon, Two Guns Arikara, 1974-1977, Acrylic/oil on canvas, 71.5'' x 55.5'', Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

    T.C Cannon, Two Guns Arikara, 1974-1977, Acrylic/oil on canvas, 71.5'' x 55.5'', Whitney Museum of American Art, New York

    This bold Neo-expressionism/Neo Pop styled art piece is a strong piece of cultural symbolism. The man is depicted in the painting with two guns in his lap, which can be an encoded message for a warrior or cultural resilience/ resistance.
  • T.C Cannon, Epochs in Plains History: Mother, Earth, Father, Sun, the Children Themselves, 1976-1977, Oil on canvas, 96''x 240'', Seattle, Washington

    T.C Cannon, Epochs in Plains History: Mother, Earth, Father, Sun, the Children Themselves, 1976-1977, Oil on canvas, 96''x 240'', Seattle, Washington

    This oil on canvas piece reclaims Native history and challenges Eurocentric narratives on Native history. Furthermore, the piece includes the traditional cultural moments of Plains Native life. Lastly, the painting can encode a spiritual meaning of unity. In the piece, everyone is working in unison with Mother Earth and the Sun as spiritual foundations.
  • Rick Bartow, Small Hawk (Frankfurt Series), 1994, Flasche gouache ink acrylic/paper, Gorman Museum

    Rick Bartow, Small Hawk (Frankfurt Series), 1994, Flasche gouache ink acrylic/paper, Gorman Museum

    This painting a layered, boldly stroked distortion of a hawk can be understood as a metaphor representing freedom. On the other hand, a bird or hawk can be seen as a spiritual symbol acting as the "messenger." Therefore, this piece conveys heavy emotional intensity. (Strength, resilience, cultural pride)
  • Rick Bartow, He Sings With Their Voices, 1995, Pastel/graphite on paper, 40'' x 26'', High Desert Museum, Portland, Oregon

    Rick Bartow, He Sings With Their Voices, 1995, Pastel/graphite on paper, 40'' x 26'', High Desert Museum, Portland, Oregon

    In this Neo-expression styled piece, it is displaying a distorted figure that appears to be showing emotion. Therefore, this piece can portray many encoded messages from that era of time, including psychological and spiritual warfare.
  • Kay Walkingstick, Venere Alpina,1997, Diptych/mixed-material, 32'' x 64'', Minneapolis Institute of Arti

    Kay Walkingstick, Venere Alpina,1997, Diptych/mixed-material, 32'' x 64'', Minneapolis Institute of Arti

    In this landscape portrait, the artist is displaying a dual artwork with two different interpretations. The landscape side of the portrait, which is a depiction of the Alps can be seen through the themes of memory and cultural ties (history) The other side of the piece shows a deep gash, which can convey a message/symbol of a deep wound. (psychologically or emotionally)