If you’ve visited the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, then you know they shuffle their exhibits for a constant flow of art.
Now through August 3rd, you can visit the museum’s new exhibit: Radical Stitch.
Beadwork is a cornerstone to Indigenous populations where the work melds together with functionality and art. The skill of stitching and beadwork has been passed down through generations and thousands of years.
While beadwork is indeed beautiful, it can also be utilized as a political influence, or a form of resistance. These displays showcase values, emotions, purpose, and many other attributes.
This exhibit was brought here by the Mackenzie Art Gallery which works hard to establish relationships with communities, establish trust, and represent art to its greatest capacity. This is the largest exhibition of Native bead art ever staged in North America and the Eiteljorg is the only stop this exhibit will make in the United States.
I was lucky enough to get a sneak peak and was blown away by the intricacies of every piece. I couldn’t help but wonder how long the artists had been working towards such an astounding skill level.
A particular piece I was blown away by was The Sky Vest by Kathrine Boyer. Of course, the vest featured the beaded image of the sky, but it had clouds swirling with various shades of blue to create an incredibly detailed image of a mostly sunny sky. The neckline was embroidered with flowers and whimsical lines. You could almost feel and smell the summer day sewn into the vest. This image pays homage to her home lands of vast prairies.
Come and enjoy the new exhibit and see these amazing works for yourself this summer!
Top: Kathrine Boyer, The Sky Vest, 2021. Collection of the Artist.
Middle: Jennine Krauchi, Beaded coat/muff/hat, 2022, fabric, fur, beads. Indigenous Art Collection, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada.
Bottom: Christi Belcourt, Untitled, c. 2000, seed beads, thread, dental floss, jean jacket, cotton cloth. Collection of the artist.