Edward S. Curtis and the Legacy of Native American Photography
Edward S. Curtis: Documenting Native American Life
Edward S. Curtis was a renowned photographer who dedicated his life to documenting the lives of Native Americans. Between 1907 and 1930, he traveled extensively throughout North America, capturing over 40,000 images of people from more than 80 different tribes. Curtis’s work included not only photographs but also wax cylinder recordings of indigenous songs and written accounts of stories, histories, and biographies.
Curtis’s most ambitious project was a 20-volume series titled “The North American Indian.” This monumental work was hailed as “the most ambitious enterprise in publishing since the production of the King James Bible.” Today, over 1,000 of Curtis’s images are available online through the Library of Congress.
Curtis’s Legacy and Its Impact on Native American Stereotypes
While Curtis’s work was lauded for its artistic value and its contribution to the documentation of Native American culture, it also perpetuated certain stereotypes. Curtis often depicted Native Americans as stoic and vanishing, reinforcing the myth that they were a dying race. His images influenced the way that many Americans viewed Native people for decades to come.
Contemporary Native American Artists Challenge Curtis’s Legacy
In recent years, contemporary Native American artists have challenged Curtis’s legacy and sought to present a more nuanced and authentic portrayal of their people. These artists, such as Pamela J. Peters, Zig Jackson, Wendy Red Star, and Will Wilson, use photography, multimedia, and other art forms to explore issues of identity, culture, and representation.
Pamela J. Peters: Reclaiming Native History
Pamela J. Peters, a Navajo photographer and filmmaker, argues that Curtis’s stereotypes persist today. She uses her work to challenge these stereotypes and to reclaim her own history. In her self-portrait series “Four Seasons,” Peters wears traditional garb, but upon closer inspection, the viewer can see that the background is held up by tacks, the animals are inflatable toys, and cellophane is used to evoke water. Through her art, Peters makes a powerful statement about reclaiming her own history.
Zig Jackson: Dismantling Stereotypes
Zig Jackson, also known as Rising Buffalo, is a Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara photographer whose work is known for dismantling stereotypes. His series “Indian Photographing Tourist Photographing Indian” and “Indian Photographing Tourist Photographing Sacred Sites” question the role of photography itself and the commodification of Native American culture.
Wendy Red Star: Exploring Identity and Culture
Wendy Red Star is a Portland-based multimedia artist whose work is informed by her cultural heritage and upbringing on the Apsáalooke reservation. Her photographs mix stereotypical and authentic imagery to explore issues of identity and culture. In her series “Medicine Crow,” Red Star alters familiar images of the famous Native American leader with notes and extra information, sometimes drawing a connection to herself.
Will Wilson: Supplanting Curtis’s Portraits
Will Wilson, a Diné photographer, seeks to supplant the portraits Curtis took with his own documentary mission. His work features “tintypes” that help mess with time. He also collaborates with his sitters to produce his portraits, rather than directing them to come off any certain way.
The Role of Art in Combating Stereotypes and Promoting Understanding
The work of these contemporary Native American artists is essential for combating stereotypes and promoting a more nuanced understanding of Native American culture. Through their art, they challenge the dominant narratives about Native people and offer new perspectives on their history, identity, and experiences.
