Review: Myths and Memories: Highlights from the Walker Collection of Native Art
It’s hard to pick a favorite from the 19 Native art pieces that adorn Philbrook’s upper level Works on Paper gallery walls. The colors and designs aren’t the usual Native art fare although you’ll recognize the familiar themes. In this highlights collection, you’ll find everything from linocut and woodcut prints to silkscreened prints to original watercolors and mixed media works. The range of motifs covers Ahmoo Angeconeb’s Canadian perspective to Jeanette Katoney’s Southwest Indian petroglyph-inspired renderings.
For those of you who enjoy a more modern touch to the traditional, check out Don Montileaux’s ledger paper mixed media work or the similarly crafted embossed work of Jackie Sevier. Perhaps best known for his carvings, Beau Dick’s two-color screen print, “Blue Heron,” is an absolute show favorite as is Dawn Dark Mountain’s hand-colored linocut, “Sandhill Crane Spirits.”
If you love Native art, you’ll love “Myths and Memories.” If you aren’t a Native art fan, you’ll emerge a convert after seeing this show. Spend some time getting to know the pieces, artists and details of these contemporary works. The pieces are light and lively with no heavy spiritual themes or political messages. Each image stands on its own and only attempts to appeal to your basic reaction to color, contrast and design.
The complete Walker Collection of Native Art contains 124 paintings but this 19-piece show gives you a feel for the variety of North American Native art and the breadth of styles and subject matter. The show will leave you wanting more and searching online for more work from your favorites among the represented artists. The "Myths & Memories" exhibit runs from July 11 through October 17.
This show is a “must see” event and receives five out of five stars for its beautiful execution of color, theme and overall artistic excellence.
Ken Hess is a Tulsa, Oklahoma freelance writer who writes on a variety of topics including art, politics and technology. You may reach him through his website at kenhess.com.
