Indigenous Beauty: Masterworks of American Indian Art from the Diker Collection

A woven basket and lid with a yellow and black zig-zag pattern.
July 7–September 13, 2015
Second floor

Drawn from the celebrated American Indian art collection of Charles and Valerie Diker, Indigenous Beauty: Masterworks of American Indian Art from the Diker Collection showcases approximately 120 masterworks, including fine examples of basketry, pottery, sculpture, ivories, kachina dolls, regalia, and pictographic arts from tribes across the North American continent. The exhibition provides rare access to many exquisite works from one of the most comprehensive and diverse collections of American Indian art in private hands.

Elizabeth Conrad Hickox

"Fancy" lidded basket, ca. 1917-26

Conifer root, maidenhair fern stems, porcupine quills, hazel shoots

A woven basket and lid with a yellow and black zig-zag pattern.

Harpoon counterweight (Winged object), 5th-9th century

Walrus ivory

A dark brown sculpture that resembles a winged insect, with white designs carved into it.

Julian Scott ledger "Artist A" (Ka'igwu [Kiowa])

Twelve High-Ranking Kiowa Men

Pencil, colored pencil, and ink on paper

A colorful pencil drawing on lined paper of a group of Indigenous people in traditional clothing.

Louisa Keyser

Basket bowl, 1907

Willow shoots, redbud shoots, bracken fern root

A rounded woven basket with a repeating motif in black and red of what looks like a hill with a line of trees.

Maskette, 1780-1830

Wood, copper, opercula shell, pigment

A wood and metal mask of a stylized human face complete with grinning mouth and white teeth.

Man's shirt, ca. 1850

Hide, porcupine quills, horsehair, wool, glass beads, pigment

A elaborately decorated shirt with long white fringe, a blue bodice with dark blue dots, and sleeves with beaded designs.

Situlilu (Rattlesnake) Katsina, 1910-30

Cottonwood, pine, gesso, pigment, dyed horsehair, cornhusk, cotton cord

A wood sculpture of a human-like figure posed as if it were dancing; a fan of feathers across its head and a red grass-like skirt around its waist.

Mask, 1916-18

Wood, pigment, vegetal fiber

A carved wood mask that features animal faces or heads in white and red, and what looks like human fingers curling around the edge.

Shoulder bag (without strap), ca. 1820

Hide, porcupine quills, tin cones, silk ribbon, dyed hair

A beaded brown pouch with orange and white designs that resemble birds, turtles, and human figures.

Installation Photos

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In the Press

"Art exhibit review: 'Indigenous Beauty' at Fort Worth's Amon Carter"

Fort Worth Star-Telegram

July 8, 2015

"Native Vision"

KERA

July 6, 2015

 

All Exhibitions

Indigenous Beauty is organized by the American Federation of Arts. This exhibition was made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, the JFM Foundation, and Mrs. Donald M. Cox.

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