Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art is a fresh reinstallation of Montclair Art Museum’s renowned collection of Indigenous art from North America. Foregrounding Native perspectives, the exhibition explores the transformative power of Indigenous knowledge to address pressing social issues. Themes include relationships to the earth and its beings, gender and family, sovereignty and justice, and the power of art itself.
This long-term exhibition revisits two newly restored historical galleries through a collaborative process with many Indigenous colleagues. The exhibition features 50 historical, modern, and contemporary works by artists from more than 40 Native nations, including numerous commissions and recent acquisitions.
The exhibition design is inspired by Native fiber arts. Media include sculpture, basketry, textiles and dress, photography, ceramics, beadwork, works on paper, painting, and more, with emphasis on Lenape, Haudenosaunee, and other artists from Northeastern nations as well as women and queer and two-spirit artists and contributors.
Through this important reimagining and restorative work, we also examine the Museum’s history, collection, and other legacies of European colonization in the Americas to help forge new ways of thinking and relating in a changing world.
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Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit/Unangax̂, b. 1979) Backdrop (portrait of the artist obscured), 2024. C-print. 86 x 59 in. Montclair Art Museum commission, Museum purchase, Acquisition Fund 2025.1
![Rose B. Simpson and Roxanne Swentzell (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo], b. 1983 and 1962). Detail of Untitled (Timeline Necklace), 2019. Ceramic, glaze, leather, wood, string, mud beads, wire. Image: Brian Wagner/Courtesy of Hood Museum of Art.](https://www.montclairartmuseum.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/Simpson_Form%20and%20Relation_Hood%20Museum%20of%20Art%2C%20Andover%2C%20MA%2C%202021_Installation%20view%2005_Brian%20Wagner.jpg)
Rose B. Simpson and Roxanne Swentzell (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo], b. 1983 and 1962). Detail of Untitled (Timeline Necklace), 2019. Ceramic, glaze, leather, wood, string, mud beads, wire.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art. Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
Elizabeth Hickox (Wiyot/Karuk, 1872/5–1947). Lidded basket, ca. 1912–13. Myrtle, conifer root, beargrass, maidenhair fern, porcupine quills.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art, with Holly Wilson's (Delaware Nation) What Was, What Is, What Will Be (2024). Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
![Meghann O’Brien [Jaad Kuujus] (Haida/Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, b. 1982). Detail of Kuugan Jaad IV, 2018. Merino wool, cashmere, cedar bark.](https://www.montclairartmuseum.org/sites/default/files/2024-07/2023.6_Meghann_OBrien_Kuugan_Jaad_IV_CU_1_Copy.jpg)
Meghann O’Brien [Jaad Kuujus] (Haida/Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw, b. 1982). Detail of Kuugan Jaad IV, 2018. Merino wool, cashmere, cedar bark.
Artist once known (Yurok), Detail of Necklace, 1875–1900. Dentalium shells, pigment, glass beads, cotton cloth.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art, with Rebecca Haff Lowry's (Delaware Tribe of Indians) Cape of a Matriarch (2021). Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
Artist once known (Lakota). Possible bag, 1875–1880. Buffalo hide, glass beads, metal, horsehair, sinew.
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Commissioned works are by Nicholas Galanin (Tlingit/Unangax̂), Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation), Eric-Paul Riege (Diné), Elizabeth James-Perry (Aquinnah Wampanoag), and Brandon Lazore (Onondaga Nation)/Jack Johnson (Akwasasne Mohawk). Additional artists represented are Sydney Akagi (Tlingit), Mary Kawennatakie Adams (Akwasasne Mohawk), William Benson (Eastern Pomo [Clear Lake]), mary v. and Clementine Bordeaux (Sicangu Oglala Lakota), Brittany Britton (Hupa), Barbara and Joseph Cerno (Acoma Pueblo), Shan Goshorn (Cherokee Nation, Eastern Band), Kennetha Greenwood (Otoe-Missouria), Raven Halfmoon (Caddo Nation, Choctaw, Delaware, Otoe-Missouria), Elizabeth Hickox (Wiyot/Karuk), Truman Lowe (Ho-Chunk), Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation), Meghann O’Brien (Haida/Kwakwaka’wakw), Kevin and Valerie Pourier (Oglala Lakota), Sarah Sense (Chitmacha/Choctaw), Jay Simeon (Haida), Rose B. Simpson and Roxanne Swentzell (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]), and Lu Ann Tafoya (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo]), as well as numerous historical artists who were known to their communities.
Native educators are working with MAM to create educational materials, trainings, and programs for students and teachers, community leaders, and the general public as an integral component of this exhibition. For school audiences, an elementary school curriculum based on NJ State Learning Standards enhances learning in the galleries for group tours. Family engagement includes studio programs taught by Indigenous artists and gallery guide activities. In addition, public talks and events with artists, collaborators, and contributors to the exhibition are scheduled throughout the year.
The Museum has developed educational lesson plans tailored for elementary and secondary grade students that correspond with Interwoven Power. These resources are accessible for viewing and use by the public. Click here to view.
Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art is curated by Laura J. Allen, MAM Curator of Native American Art, in collaboration with:
Collaborators
Current MAM Native American Art Advisory Council Members
Former MAM Native American Art Advisory Council Members
Exhibition Design / Ciné Ostrow
Graphic Design and Display Font / Sébastien Aubin (Opaskwayak Cree Nation), OTAMI - ᐅᑕᒥ
Contributors
MAM Curatorial Staff
Many thanks to all the additional colleagues who have informed and supported the exhibition development. This list continues to grow.
Lead Sponsor
Sponsors
| Presenting Supporters | Lead Supporters | Partnering Supporters |
| Gregory Packaging, Inc. and The Gregory Family Edward Gregory and Marylyn Modny Gregory Margo and Frank Walter |
Joan C. Affleck Michael Frasco The Merck Foundation Ross E. Rocklin, MD Josh Weston |
Lisa and Joseph Amato Lynn S. Glasser The Linaugh Family |
Visionary Legacy Patrons
The Jennifer Ley and Kit Skarstrom Indigenous North American Art Fund
Supporters
| Rick and Linny Andlinger Susan Brady and Mustafa Abadan Heather and Vincent Benjamin Susan V. Bershad Charitable Fund Sandra and James C. Carter Sylvia Cohn Susan E. Cole Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and Murray Aitken Candace and Jeff Dobro Agnes Gund Susan and Arthur Hatzopoulos Michael Heningburg, Jr., Esq. and Jeanine B. Downie, MD Peter and Deborah Hirsch Christine James and Nick De Toustain Diana L. Johnson Jennifer Ley and Kit Skarstrom |
Kate Logan and Edmund Rung Greg and Betty Murphy Pharos Foundation Gretchen and Sandy Prater Amy and Don Putman, MD Lyn and Glenn Reiter Ann and Mel Schaffer Betsy and Jay Schweppe Patricia G. Selden Cheryl and Marc Slutzky Robert and Sharon Taylor Judith and William Turner Denise and Ira Wagner Lina and Stephen Wall Joan and Don Zief |
In-kind support generously provided by Ken Harrison and EdgeKraft LLC, MC Hotel, Susan Brady and SBLD Studio.
Lead Image:
Sarah Sense (Chitmacha/Choctaw, b. 1980). Detail of Present State of the English, 2022. Woven archival inkjet prints on Hahnemuhle bamboo paper, Hahnemuhle rice paper, beeswax, artist tape. 40 x 40 in. Museum Purchase, Acquisition Fund, 2022.22.
Full Image Credits:
Rose B. Simpson and Roxanne Swentzell (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo], b. 1983 and 1962). Detail of Untitled (Timeline Necklace), 2019. Ceramic, glaze, leather, wood, string, mud beads, wire. 24 x 252 x 9 in. Museum Purchase, Acquisition Fund, 2023.5. Image: Brian Wagner/Courtesy of Hood Museum of Art.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art. Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
Elizabeth Hickox (Wiyot/Karuk, 1872/5–1947). Lidded basket, ca. 1912–13. Myrtle, conifer root, beargrass, maidenhair fern, porcupine quills. (Bottom): 5 x 8 1/4 in. (Lid): 3 x 5 ½ in. Gift of Mrs. Henry Lang in memory of her mother, Mrs. Jasper R. Rand, 1931.86ab.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art with Rebecca Haff Lowry's (Delaware Tribe of Indians, b. 1972) Cape of a Matriarch (2021). Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
Artist once known (Yurok), Necklace, 1875–1900. Dentalium shells, pigment, glass beads, cotton cloth. 21 x 3 ½ x ¼ in. Gift of Mrs. Henry Lang in memory of her mother Mrs. Jasper R. Rand, 1931.289.
Artist once known (Lakota). Possible bag, 1875–1880. Buffalo hide, glass beads, metal, horsehair, sinew. 13 ½ x 21 5/8 in. Gift of Mrs. Henry Lang in memory of her mother, Mrs. Jasper R. Rand, 1931.460.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art, with Holly Wilson's (Delaware Nation, b. 1968) What Was, What Is, What Will Be (2024). Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
Sarah Sense (Chitmacha/Choctaw, b. 1980). Detail of Present State of the English, 2022. Woven archival inkjet prints on Hahnemuhle bamboo paper, Hahnemuhle rice paper, beeswax, artist tape. 40 x 40 in. Museum Purchase, Acquisition Fund, 2022.22.
Installation view of Interwoven Power: Native Knowledge / Native Art, with Eric-Paul Riege (Diné, b. 1994) jaatłoh4Ye’iitsoh [17–18] + [][][][] (2024) on the left and Rose B. Simpson and Roxanne Swentzell's (Khaʼpʼoe Ówîngeh [Santa Clara Pueblo], b. 1983 and 1962) Untitled (Timeline Necklace) (2019) on the right. Photo: Jason Wyche/Montclair Art Museum.
