Jul 21, 2016 Southwest Indian art

The art and crafts produced by the Southwest Indians is possibly the best known and most distinctive of all North American native peoples. The unique geometric designs and patterns of Hopi, Navajo, Zuni, and Pueblo rugs, pottery, jewelry, carving, and painting reaches back to ancient tribal artistic traditions and continues in modern works of known and recognized artists. The creative interplay of Native American and Western aesthetic resulted in an especially rich artistic culture. Indeed, Kokapelli, the hunch back flute player, has become the icon of the American Southwest. Beginning in the 1850’s as trade goods, silver jewelry, as well as rugs and pottery, evolved into a world-wide market. Special Collections Print and Journal Department holds an extensive collection of monographs and journals documenting and illustrating this vital, beautiful world of Southwest Indian art.