A special exhibit—Reborn Rez Wrecks—at the Missoula (Montana) Art Museum (MAM) features imaginative sculptures depicting traditional Native culture using found and salvaged metal by Blackfoot artist Jay Laber (1961-2019).
According to the museum description:
“A precise craftsman, Laber built large scale sculpture that weighed hundreds of pounds with tight tolerances. He would meticulously sift through hundreds of parts before selecting and inserting exactly the right piece to suggest or describe an essential detail. An expert at considering all the angles that sculpture might be viewed, he made his works appear active, kinetic, and full of energy.”
MAM is situated on the traditional, ancestral territories of the Séliš (Salish or “Flathead”) and Qlispé (upper Kalispel or Pend d’Oreille) peoples. MAM is committed to respecting the indigenous stewards of the land it occupies. Their rich cultures are fundamental to artistic life in Montana and to the work of MAM.
Pony
This piece was created in 2015-2016.
While the Spanish colonists in New Mexico brought horses into North America, the diffusion of the horse and its adoption by the Plains Indians began with the Pueblo Revolt of 1680. By the 1730s, the Blackfoot had obtained horses from the Shoshones. The horse quickly became more than a new form of transportation: they became a form of wealth, status, and prestige.
Sentinel
This piece was created in 1999.
Warfare on the Northern Plains was common, but it was not usually waged by one tribe against another. Warfare was carried out by small, independent raiding parties rather than by large, organized armies. The motivation for war was personal gain, not tribal patriotism. Through participation in war an individual gained prestige, honor, and even wealth (as counted in horses.)
War honors were usually graded on the basis of the amount of courage displayed in winning them. Among the Blackfoot, the highest honors were given to capturing an enemy’s gun. Also ranked high were the capture of a bow, shield, war shirt, war bonnet, or ceremonial pipe. The taking of a scalp ranked below these things.
Bison
This piece was created in 2014.
The most important game animal on the Northern Plains was the buffalo. For the Blackfoot, the buffalo was considered to be “real food” and all other flesh was considered to be inferior.
Finds His Spot
This piece was created in 2002-2007.
During the twentieth century the powwow became an important pan-Indian event on most reservations. For many of us, there comes that special spot where we feel that we are one with the drum and are now longer aware of our moccasins making contact with Mother Earth. This is a spiritual, mystical experience felt only by the dancer.
Bison Skull
There is no date for this piece.
Indians 101
Twice each week Indians 101 looks at different American Indian topics. More about American Indian art from this series:
Indians 101: Some Plateau Beaded Bags (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Glass Art by Northwest Native Carvers and Weavers (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Nez Perce Indian Art (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Exploring Glass Art by Native Artists (Art Diary)
Indians 101: Three Plateau Women Artists (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Cahuilla Pottery (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Some American Indian Art (Photo Diary)
Indians 101: Plains Indian Art in the Maryhill Museum (Photo Diary)