Indians in Color: Native Art, Identity, and Performance in the New West

Norman K. Denzin's book Indians in Color explores the differences in the treatment of artwork about Native America created by European-trained artists compared to those by Native artists. He focuses on painting movements in Taos, New Mexico, and demonstrates the power of visual media to reify or resist racial and cultural stereotypes. He contrasts the aggrandizement of early 20th-century Taos Society of Artists with that of indigenous Pueblo painters and introduces a radical postmodern artistic aesthetic of contemporary Native artists.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 229 pages
Publication date: 16 January 2023
Publisher: Left Coast Press Inc

In his groundbreaking work, "In Indians in Color," renowned cultural critic Norman K. Denzin delves into the profound disparities in the treatment of artwork about Native America created by European-trained artists versus those by Native artists. Spanning four volumes, Denzin's exploration of race and culture in the New West focuses specifically on the painting movements in Taos, New Mexico, over the past century. This multifaceted work combines elements of performance text, art history, cultural criticism, and autoethnography, showcasing Denzin's ability to harness the power of visual media to challenge or reinforce racial and cultural stereotypes.

Through his meticulous analysis, Denzin juxtaposes the aggrandizement by collectors and museums of the art created by the early 20th-century Taos Society of Artists under railroad sponsorship with that of indigenous Pueblo painters. He sheds light on the ongoing tensions between mainstream and Native art, highlighting how these disparities persist in contemporary society. Moreover, Denzin introduces a radical postmodern artistic aesthetic of contemporary Native artists, challenging notions of the "noble savage."

This thought-provoking book offers a comprehensive and nuanced perspective on contemporary Native American life, challenging readers to reevaluate their perceptions and understanding of this diverse community. Denzin's profound insights and innovative approach to art analysis make "In Indians in Color" a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of race, culture, and artistic expression.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781629582795