OVERVIEW
VISITOR INFORMATION
EXHIBITION THEMES
SELECTED WORKS
MAP
RELATED EVENTS




    OVERVIEW


    Vessel in the Form of a Kneeling Female Figure. Arkansas, Crittenden County, A.D. 1300–1500; shell-tempered ceramic; private collection, Missouri.

    Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South
    November 20, 2004–January 30, 2005
    Regenstein Hall

    Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South explores the themes of a major branch of early civilization in the Americas that is virtually unknown to the public—that of the midwestern and southern United States. The exhibition assembles some 300 masterpieces of stone, ceramic, wood, shell, and copper created between 2000 B.C. and A.D. 1600 and presents them in the context of large-scale plans and reconstruction drawings of major archaeological sites. Sculptural forms embrace a wide range of human, animal, and vegetal motifs, as well as composite imaginary creatures, abstract shapes, and embellished vessels, implements, and items of ritual paraphernalia.


    CATALOGUE
    Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South exhibition catalogue: 288 pages. Hardcover, $60; softcover, $34.95. Click here for more information.


    CHILDREN’S BOOK

    Journey to Cahokia: A Boy’s Visit to the Great Mound City: 32 pages; 21 color illustrations. Hardcover $17.95. Click here for more information.


    ORGANIZERS

    Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South is organized by the Art Institute of Chicago.


    OTHER VENUES

    Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South will be on view at the St. Louis Art Museum, March 4–May 30, 2005.


    CURATOR
    Richard F. Townsend, director of African and Amerindian art, the Art Institute of Chicago


    SPECIAL THANKS
    The production of Hero, Hawk, and Open Hand: American Indian Art of the Ancient Midwest and South occurred with the indispensable help and cooperation of the following Tribal Nations:

    Muscogee (Creek) Nation
    Alabama-Quassarte Tribal Town
    Kialegee Tribal Town
    Thlopthlocco Tribal Town
    Poarch Band Creeks
    Caddo Nation of Oklahoma
    Quapaw Tribe of Oklahoma
    Cherokee Nation
    Choctaw Nation
    Seminole Nation
    Chickasaw Nation

    Individuals descending from Shawnee, Potawatomi, Osage, and Miccosukee Seminole Nations have also contributed directly to diverse aspects of the exhibition catalogue, educational programs, and exhibition presentation.


    SPONSORS
    This exhibition was organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and made possible by major funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities, expanding our understanding of the world.




    The Chicago presentation is generously supported by The Boeing Company.




    This presentation is generously funded by the Clarence Spanjer Endowment and is supported by an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes a great nation deserves great art. Additional support is provided by the Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago and a generous gift from the Thaw Charitable Trust.




> ww.artic.edu/aic    
 
Last updated: February 2005. Best viewed with Netscape Navigator 4.0 or higher.
Reproduction Permission. Copyright © 2003. All rights reserved.