5 Indigenous Women Artists of the 20th Century

The article profiles five Indigenous women artists from North America who have been historically overlooked: Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, b. 1940), Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie (Navajo, b. 1954), Rebecca Belmore (Anishinaabekwe, b. 1960), Irene Avaalaaqiaq Tiktaalaaq (Inuit, b. 1941), and Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee, b. 1935). Smith's mixed-media work 'I See Red: Target' (1992) was acquired by the National Gallery of Art in Washington in 2020, marking the first purchase of a Native American artist's work by the institution. Tsinhnahjinnie, a professor at UC Davis, uses photography to counter stereotypes and rework historical images. Belmore represented Canada at the 2005 Venice Biennale with her performance 'The Fountain' and created 'Mawu-che-hitoowin' (1992), an installation amplifying Native women's voices. Tiktaalaaq is known for wool and felt wall hangings inspired by Inuit mythology, preserving oral traditions. WalkingStick creates diptych landscapes that explore her dual heritage, with works like 'Where Are the Generations?' (1991) addressing population decline after colonization. The article notes that Indigenous women face triple discrimination—as non-white, female, and contemporary artists—and that progress remains slow despite milestones like Jeffrey Gibson representing the US at the 2024 Venice Biennale.