Native American Art featured in Mingei International Museum

Mingei International Museum in Balboa Park will present a fresh look at Native American Art in an exhibition that opens Feb. 19 and continues through Sept. 5.
“Classic and Contemporary Native American Art” presents classic art from North America’s indigenous artisans from the museum’s collection shown alongside paintings by four native-Californian contemporary artists: Robert Freeman, Billy Soza Warsoldier, Catherine Nelson-Rodriguez and L. Frank.  The exhibition is curated by Jennifer Garey.
When thinking of classic art, the casual museum-goer usually thinks of Grecian statues or Roman architecture, but classic art, defined by its age, function, design and shape, is also found throughout North America. Art history focuses attention on the classic art of the early European and Asian worlds; rarely is classic art from central and southern Africa or North and South America grouped into the same category.
Classic art from these continents is often defined as traditional or craft although it was created during the same time periods with the same growth of developmental styles and techniques as the classic art of Europe. Design and function become a part of life and simultaneously reflect life, from Grecian urns and Acoma pottery to Roman tapestries and Pomo basketry. The classic art of the indigenous peoples of North America is as diverse as the nations that created it.
Beginning in the late nineteenth century, native American classic art became popular with tourists. Soon new design elements were created for the tourist trade such as floral imagery that was beaded into belts, bags, and shoes. Styles and designs were changed to meet the demands of this new market composed of settlers, trading companies, and collectors. In addition, during this period many native nations had been removed from their homelands and farms and moved to new, inhospitable reservations.  Selling wares and art often became a means of survival.
Today, Native American art encompasses every style, medium and message, and is as distinct and personal as the individual artist. The four California artists represented in this exhibition share two things: they predominantly work on canvas with oils or acrylics and they all project a personal message in their work.
Robert L. Freeman, (Luiseño) and member of Rincon Reservation, has won more than150 national Indian awards for paintings of Indian and western subjects. Freeman brings an eye for the real and surreal to his work. Many paintings depict actual people or scenes he has encountered, while other works are created from deep within the artist.
Billy Soza Warsoldier, (Cahuilla/Apache) and a member of Soboba, has been an artist in residence at The Arts Students League in New York City, has attended The Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and has been exhibited in numerous international venues. Soza Warsoldier creates series of paintings that reflect periods or events in his life. His wolf series was born of a personal encounter with a wild grey wolf, and his prison series reflects the injustices Native American peoples have faced over the course of centuries.
Catherine Nelson-Rodriguez, (Luiseño/Wailaki/Choctaw), is a self-taught artist. Her work has been exhibited locally and in New York. Nelson-Rodriguez paints her personal pain, frustration, joy and healing. Starkly exposed and vulnerable, she allows us to be guests on the journey of her life.
L. Frank (Tongva/Ajachmem) is an activist, author and artist working in many media – paint, basket weaving, sculpture and photography.   L. Frank’s paintings reflect her dedication to the preservation of California’s native cultures. A book of her witty “Acorn Soup” cartoons highlights Coyote in all his guises. She is also co-author with Kim Hogeland of “First Families: Photographic History of California Indians.” L. Frank was named a “Local Hero” by San Francisco’s KQED-TV/Examiner newspaper Native American Heritage Month series, has served as artist-in-residence at the Headland Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California and has been honored by the American Association of University Women, the James Irvine Foundation and the Fund for Folk Culture.
Mingei International Museum is funded in part by The city of San Diego Commission for Arts and Culture and The county of San Diego Community Enhancement Program.