Native America
The Center has a collection of nearly 1300 Native American objects that were created after the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century. It consists primarily of works produced by artists from North American cultures, and contains approximately 500 baskets from Native California tribes such as the Yurok, Karuk, and Hupa communities of northern California and the Pomo communities of central California. The remainder of the collection includes fine examples of wood and stone carvings from the Pacific Northwest coast; Plains bead and leatherwork; and Pueblo ceramics and Navajo textiles from the Southwest.
The development of modern and contemporary artists in the 20th and 21st centuries are represented in the collection by about 40 works, including argillite stone sculptures and woodcarvings from the Pacific Northwest. Especially noteworthy is an argillite totem pole from the late 1800s by Haida artist John Robson and a totem pole by the well-known contemporary Haida carver, Don Yeomans. The Pacific Northwest coast collection also includes masks by Kwakiutl artist Bill Henderson and Kwakwaka’wakw artist Stan Hunt III. The collection of modern Native American art from the Southwest includes drawings by San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Tonita Peña (Quah Ah) and Tesuque Pueblo artist Tomas Vigil (Pan Yo Pin) and ceramics by Acoma Pueblo potter Lucy Lewis, while contemporary art is represented the work of Maidu-Wintu artist Frank LaPena, Luiseño artist Fritz Scholder, and the Maidu-Hawaiian-Portuguese artist, Harry Fonseca.
About 125 Native American works currently on view in one gallery include a selection of California basketry from the late 19th to early 20th century; a selection of Haida argillite stone carvings; a fine Tlingit clan hat; a monumental installation of house posts and lintel by contemporary Kwakwaka’wakw artist Calvin Hunt; and dance regalia by contemporary Kwakwaka’wakw artist Maxine Matilpi. In addition, an adjacent gallery devoted to the arts of the ancient Americas features a comparative selection of modern and contemporary Native American ceramics. Learn more
Dr. Barbara Thompson
Phyllis Wattis Curator of the Arts of Africa and the Americas
Dance Skirt
late 19th century
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