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The Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum presents a contemporary traditional art exhibition.
Located on the reservation in Florida, USA, the museum showcases clothing, sweetgrass baskets and other works inspired by Seminole culture.
Mixed media artist Wilson Bowers features paintings.
“I get a lot of inspiration from my community. Lots of doll makers, basket makers, beaters and seamstresses.”
Bowers represents the younger generation of Florida-based Native American tribes and refuses to have his work considered Native art.
He creates items that include Seminole motifs, such as skateboards, murals, and digital artwork, but is equally inspired by movements such as pop art and anime. It prompts him to reject the native art label.
“I hate the term native artist or native artwork because to me it’s just me, just an artist. From the outside, oh, it looks like native art, but it’s not, it’s just art, I don’t know, it’s just me. ”
“One foot past, one foot present”
Exhibition visitors can talk to the artists whose work is on display and browse the permanent collection.
For them, and for the director of the museum, it’s all about protecting their identity.
“I like to see what’s new[in museums],” says Sadie Rockwell.
“It helps me remember my culture, who I am, and just look at the current generation and what they have created,” the Miccosukee member adds.
“(Seminole art) is about expressing ourselves and telling people that we are here, that we still exist, that we are still thriving.” Director Gordon Wareham explains, But we have one foot in the past. We have one leg in the present. And we are always looking to the future for the next step. ”
The Art of Seminole Crafts exhibition explores many aspects of tribal customs, including jewelry and dolls.
Artists add their own designs to recreate traditional art and make it unique.
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