ART
Spotlight on the Heard: Indian ledger art The Heard Museum North in Scottsdale is hosting a show that will fascinate anyone interested in American Indian history, specifically the history of native art, even the more painful parts of that story we all think we know so well. The Plains tribes had a tradition of recording events on animal hides using natural pigments. After 1875 when Plains peoples were confined to reservations and some individuals were imprisoned for resisting, they recorded the events of their lives on ledger books, using materials provided to them by traders or government agents. This art form continues today as contemporary artists create stories and scenes inspired by artists of generations ago. Part of what this ledger art shows is how American Indians made the difficult transition that came to them in the 19th century. Ledger art, among other things, shows the shift in artistic subject matter from warrior’s exploits to recording a new way of life imposed from the outside. This exhibition of ledger art at the Heard’s north Scottsdale facility will include hide paintings, paintings on muslin, about 20 works on paper as well as the ledger art. The display represents how the art evolved from the hide works to making art on paper. The images are colorful and poignant considering what the artists were going through, and how they portrayed their people and way of life is amazingly resilient in retrospect.
This show will run through Oct. 27 at the Heard Museum North Scottsdale. The museum is located at the Summit at Scottsdale, 32633 N. Scottsdale Road (at Ashler Hills Drive). 480.488.9817. www.heard.org/north/ aboutheardnorth.
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