A new art exhibit called “Native America: In Translation” is now open at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin. Curated by visual artist Wendy Red Star, the exhibit showcases the work of nine Indigenous artists who offer contemporary perspectives on memory, identity, and the history of photography.
Red Star, who was recently named a MacArthur Fellow, was inspired to create this exhibit after curating an issue of Aperture magazine in 2020 focused on “Native America.” She wanted to primarily feature artists who use photography in unconventional ways, and the exhibit reflects that vision.
One of the artists featured in the exhibit is Martine Gutierrez, whose photo series explores the concept of a fictional magazine called Indigenous Woman. Through this series, Gutierrez challenges traditional representations of Indigenous people in mainstream media.
Another artist, Guadalupe Maravilla, has a unique background that influences his work. As a child, he traveled with coyotes to the United States, and his art focuses on communication across borders. Maravilla collaborated with a local artist in Mexico for his exhibit at the Blanton Museum, emphasizing the theme of cross-border collaboration.
Red Star hopes that attendees of the exhibit will engage with the themes of identity, borders, and collaboration presented by the artists. She believes that the exhibit offers a strong conceptual experience for visitors to the Blanton Museum of Art in Texas.
“Native America: In Translation” will be on display at the museum until January 5, 2025. If you are interested in supporting more reporting like this, please consider making a donation to texasstandard.org and KUT.org to help fund future projects. Your contribution helps to sustain valuable journalism in our community.