25 Native American Artists to Know

"Native American artists have only recently gained a spotlight within the mainstream art world. For centuries, Native art was siloed on reservations, at trading posts, and in Indian markets, with no dedicated Indigenous commercial galleries either in urban Indian centers like New York City, San Francisco, Tulsa, or Phoenix or in other areas with significant Native populations. But lately they are finding their way into major galleries and institutions from Miami to New York to Venice."

"For Native American Heritage Month, we delve into art from 25 Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists. While not an exhaustive list, these artists represent a broad spectrum of artistic innovation spanning multiple generations and mediums, from foundational pottery to contemporary Ravenstail weaving. Shattering conventional ideas about fine art while honoring historical techniques and cultural knowledge, they underscore the vitality of Indigenous artists' contributions to contemporary art and the ongoing need to ensure that their voices and visions are centered in mainstream art discourse."

"Born in Honolulu, Bernice Akamine(1949-2024) was a Native Hawaiian sculptor, installation artist, and self-identified maker whose compositions in paper, glass, and metal critique the ongoing American colonial impact on Hawaii. Akamine received an MFA in glass and sculpture from the University of Hawaii in 1999. She is best known for her 87-sculpture installation at the 2019 Hawaiian Biennial, Kalo, honoring Hui Aloha 'Āina, an organization supporting Hawaiian sovereignty. Equally political, her work Papahanaumokua (2018) is a series of glass-tipped bullet casings"

Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian artists have recently gained visibility within mainstream galleries and institutions across major cities and international biennials. For centuries, Native art had been confined to reservations, trading posts, and Indian markets with no dedicated Indigenous commercial galleries in major urban centers. A selection of 25 artists represents a broad spectrum of innovation across generations and mediums, from foundational pottery to contemporary Ravenstail weaving. Their practices combine historical techniques and cultural knowledge with contemporary approaches, challenging conventional definitions of fine art while asserting cultural sovereignty and artistic vitality. Bernice Akamine (1949–2024) exemplified this approach through politically charged installations and sculptural works.

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