Book Description

"The late twentieth century has seen a renewed interest in the art of the native peoples of North America. As modern culture becomes further removed from the natural world, as the world's natural resources are devastated under the pressures of civilization, so does a part of yearn for a time when human life seemed closer to that of the earth itself; when the spirit world and the physical world were inextricably intertwined, imbuing all things with a sense of magic that has largely been lost today. This reverence for nature in all of its manifestations, and the bond between people and the spirits, lives on today in Native American culture, reminding us, of the beauty in everyday life. This beauty is translated into Native American art, which in its simplest and most spectacular form transforms utilitarian items such as pottery jars and beaded clothing into objects of spiritual depth and meaning. Designs and techniques specific to a tribe are handed down through generations; certain designs are specific to certain individuals who encountered them in vision quests. Some motifs, such as spirals, bear paws, and cross shapes (signifying the four directions), have endured from prehistoric petroglyphs through the centuries up to the present day. When white settlers arrived bearing silver coins, glass beads, and dyes, Native Americans incorporated these and other materials into their traditional art. And today, while traditional techniques are passed along to the newest generation, some Native American artists incorporate traditional thought into modern media such as collage, sculpture, and painting in oils, acrylics, and watercolor. Adaptability has long been a part of Native American culture, helping it to surmount adverse conditions imposed by nature and by other cultures. The spectrum of Native American art includes weaving and basketry; pottery; jewelry, silverwork, and ornamentation; leatherwork, beadwork, and quillwork; regalia such as headdresses and war shirts and representational objects such as masks and kachina dolls; carving and sculpture in wood, stone, bone, horn and modern materials; and painting. Over 175 fine examples of work by tribes across North America, from Alaska to Nova Scotia and from Florida to Southern California, grace this breathtaking selection. Full color reproductions allow the viewer to see the incredible detail of workmanship in each unique, handcrafted piece. Text by art historian Robin Langley Sommer provides a fascinating overview which puts the pieces into both historical and spiritual context. A visual feast, Native American Art is an experience to savor."--Provided by publisher