Jeffrey Gibson's 'The Anthropophagic Effect' at New Museum explores hybrid indigenous identity through performance.

From February 13 to June 9, 2019, the New Museum in New York showcased Jeffrey Gibson's residency-exhibition titled 'The Anthropophagic Effect,' which delved into the theme of 'inheritance.' The exhibition presented five intricately designed suspended garments adorned with beads and phrases such as 'Don't make me over,' set against a vibrant neo-psychedelic mural. Additionally, three ornate helmets crafted from thatched split reed were displayed on minimalist shelves. Gibson, who identifies as Choctaw and Cherokee, merged art with craft, accompanied by a soundtrack of pipes and drums. The exhibition featured performances, photoshoots, and lectures, highlighting indigenous crafts and pioneer attire, hinting at cultural exchange. The title alludes to anthropophagy theory, with an essay by Hélène Cixous connecting Gibson's work to Shakespeare's 'The Tempest,' underlining the fluidity of cultural interactions.