The Zimmerli Art Museum at Rutgers University-New Brunswick is set to host an extensive exhibition of contemporary Native American art titled “Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always.” This event will feature over 100 works from more than 97 artists representing over 50 Indigenous nations and communities across North America. The exhibition, curated by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation, will run from February 1 to December 21.
Maura Reilly, Director of the Zimmerli Art Museum, has collaborated with Smith for over a decade. She expressed her excitement about the exhibition stating, “We’ve often spoken of the dearth of large group exhibitions of contemporary Native American art.” Reilly emphasized that one mission of the museum is to provide a platform for underrepresented artists. She added that working with Smith has been “extraordinarily rewarding.”
Raven Manygoats, a doctoral candidate at Rutgers and a member of the Diné community, assisted in curating the exhibition. Manygoats highlighted the significance of bringing Indigenous presence to Rutgers’ campus and expressed hope that visitors would gain insight into diverse native experiences through this show.
The exhibition will be complemented by various events including an opening reception on February 1 featuring discussions with artist Neal Ambrose-Smith and John Hitchcock. Other activities include an “Evening for Educators” on February 13 and SparkNight on March 6 celebrating Women’s History Month.
Manygoats also curated another exhibition titled “Hope With Humor: Works by Jaune Quick-to-See Smith from the Collection,” which runs concurrently in Machaver Gallery. This display features prints and paintings by Smith that honor Indigenous survival with wit and optimism.
An interdisciplinary roundtable moderated by Manygoats is scheduled for March 27 featuring Joe Baker and Lou Cornum discussing themes related to Native American studies.
