Indians 101: Some Woodlands Indian baskets (museum exhibit)

The Portland Art Museum (PAM) in Portland, Oregon has an exhibit of Woodlands Indian baskets.

Shown above is a map of the Woodlands Culture Area.

According to PAM:

“Prior to European contact this region was home to a succession of complex agricultural societies that, in some instances, built fortified cities where thousands of people lived. With the upheaval brought about by European contact many of these societies were wiped out by war and disease. Finally, by the nineteenth century, most of the survivors were removed to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi to make room for an expanding United States.”

Shown above is Basket, circa 1920, by unknown Haudenosaunee/Iroquois artist. Black ash with natural dyes.

Shown above is Splint Basket, circa 1960, by unknown Haudenosaunee/Iroquois artist. Black ash with sweet grass.

Shown above is Doll Cradle, circa 1850, by unknown Penobscot artist. White oak and metal.

Another view of Doll Cradle

Shown above is Lidded Basket, circa 1900, by unknown Penobscot artist. White oak with sweetgrass.

Shown above is In Great Expectations, There is no Red Leader, 2011, by Mi’kmaq/Onondaga artist Gail Tremblay. 35mm film, leader, and metallic braid.

According to PAM:

“She often uses non-traditional materials in her basketry to comment on indigenous life in the 21^st Century.”

Shown above is Lidded Basket, circa 1870, by unknown Woodlands artist. White oak with sweetgrass.

Another view of Lidded Basket

More American Indian museum exhibits

Indians 101: Some 1930s works by Sioux artist Oscar Howe (museum tour)

Indians 101: Modern Blackfoot ledger art (museum tour)

Indians 101: A collection of Indian baskets (museum tour)

Indians 101: Indian baskets in the Washington State History Museum (museum tour)

Indians 101: Nisqually and Puyallup baskets (photo diary)

Indians 101: Translating Traditional Basketry into Glass (Art Diary)

Indians 101: Traditional Basketry of Grays Harbor (Photo Diary)

Indians 101: Suquamish Basketry (Photo Diary)