‘Dynamic Traditions’ brings new perspectives to Native American art

Art exhibitions go beyond the art objects, once a viewer glimpses the story behind the artwork. The place where art and history meet can be both rich and rocky territory. 

The “Dynamic Traditions” art exhibition at Augustana’s Thomas Tredway Library was curated by students in a history class taught through the Augustana Prison Education Program (APEP). The exhibit includes works from the college’s Olson-Brandelle North American Indian Art Collection paired with narratives written by the students — all of whom are incarcerated in the East Moline Correctional Center.

Taught by history professor Dr. Jane Simonsen, the class studied power relationships of Euro-Americans and Native Americans as expressed through their art. The students witnessed changing perceptions and narratives about Native people in paintings, photography, engravings, film and advertisements created by Euro-Americans.  

At the same time, they researched artistic works created by indigenous people, including pottery, clay figures, carvings and woven pieces from the Olson-Brandelle Collection.

Dr. Simonsen, Augustana's Richard A. Swanson Chair in Social Thought, said the members of her class “offered perceptive thoughts on how indigenous leaders represented their nations in portraits, how Native American prisoners were used as ‘exhibits’ to show the effects of assimilation, and on inherited trauma and the boarding school system.”

Her students also explored how creating objects for tourists and collectors — like many of the items in this exhibit — was likely a form of economic survival and a way to express sovereignty.

Students voiced such perspectives in their writing for the “Dynamic Traditions” exhibit. Art has long been important to Native Americans in “communicating narratives, expressing identity and rejecting assimilation,” said APEP first-year student Jeff White.

“Native Americans are not a ‘vanishing race’ but are still communicating their history, their stories and their culture.”

Knowing that their work would be on display for a broader audience brought the class a sense of connection to their college’s Rock Island campus and community. Augustana outreach librarian Garrett Traylor coordinated with the class on the exhibition.

“One of my favorite parts of librarianship is encountering new ideas and perspectives, and helping to share those things with others,” Traylor said. “It is an absolute joy in particular to be able to platform our own community's ideas, to celebrate the perspectives and work of our students and show that off in our spaces.”

“Dynamic Traditions,” which was staged by Augustana’s Center for Visual Culture, will be on display on the library’s second floor until May 23.