A monumental gathering of more than 60 contemporary artists, photographers, musicians, writers and more, showcasing diverse approaches to Indigenous concepts, forms and mediums — A Wall Street Journal 2023 holiday gift guide pick
This landmark volume is a gathering of Native North American contemporary artists, musicians, filmmakers, choreographers, architects, writers, photographers, designers and more. Conceived by Jeffrey Gibson, a renowned artist of Mississippi Choctaw and Cherokee descent, An Indigenous Present presents an increasingly visible and expanding field of Indigenous creative practice. It centers individual practices, while acknowledging shared histories, to create a visual experience that foregrounds diverse approaches to concept, form and medium as well as connection, influence, conversation and collaboration. An Indigenous Present foregrounds transculturalism over affiliation and contemporaneity over outmoded categories.
Artists include: Neal Ambrose-Smith, Teresa Baker, Natalie Ball, Laakkuluk Williamson Bathory, Rebecca Belmore, Andrea Carlson, Nani Chacon, Raven Chacon, Dana Claxton, Melissa Cody, Chris T. Cornelius, Lewis deSoto, Beau Dick, Demian DineYazhi¢, Wally Dion, Divide and Dissolve, Korina Emmerich, Ka¢ila Farrell-Smith, Yatika Starr Fields, Nicholas Galanin, Raven Halfmoon, Elisa Harkins, Luzene Hill, Anna Hoover, Sky Hopinka, Chaz John, Emily Johnson, Brian Jungen, Brad Kahlhamer, Sonya Kelliher-Combs, Adam Khalil, Zack Kahlil, Kite, Layli Long Soldier, Erica Lord, Cannupa Hanska Luger, Tanya Lukin Linklater, James Luna, Dylan McLaughlin, Meryl McMaster, Caroline Monnet, Audie Murray, New Red Order, Jamie Okuma, Laura Ortman, Katherine "KP" Paul/Black Belt Eagle Scout, Postcommodity, Wendy Red Star, Eric-Paul Riege, Cara Romero, Sara Siestreem, Rose B. Simpson, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, Hulleah J. Tsinhnahjinnie, Anna Tsouhlarakis, Arielle Twist, Marie Watt, Dyani White Hawk and Zoon a.k.a. Daniel Glen Monkman.
Industry Reviews
The book defied my expectations. It's truly a gift, showing how these Indigenous artists are setting the standards for creative realms that are yet to be defined, while also carrying their traditions and communities forward. -- Nancy Zastudil * Hyperallergic *
Overlapping themes, histories, and creative strategies-in addition to outward displays and forms of solidarity-are evident throughout An Indigenous Present, and likely reflect not only Gibson's incisive work as an editor but also a creative network that is held together by a commitment to future forms of collectivity. -- Maymanah Farhat * Brooklyn Rail *
The photographs alone will ensure that many readers will want to see more. Glorious color illustrations, in full-page and two-page spreads, eloquently make the case that a wealth of art exists that deserves to be known. -- Andrea Kirsh * Artblog *
Perhaps no title could be more of-the-moment than "An Indigenous Present"...showcases a stunning diversity of approaches that draw on Native American traditions and histories. -- Ann Landi * Wall Street Journal *
It is the only book of its kind, and it takes this burden seriously by highlighting what is unique to and shared by the featured artists. -- Kat Herriman * Cultured *
The nearly 450-page volume renders solid a new paradigm of representation and visibility of Native North American art. -- Kate Mothes * Colossal *
This hefty and highly anticipated new book represents an unprecedented and overdue survey of scores of Indigenous artists and creators. -- Shana Nys Dambrot * LA Weekly *
Challenges the outsider's destructive fascination with Indigenous cultures, inverting and inviting it into a new perspective authored by Indigenous artists themselves. -- Lauren Christensen * The New York Times Book Review *
Narrative breaks follow sumptuous art photography throughout An Indigenous Present, manifesting the project's mission to marry concept, form, and medium as well as connection, influence, and conversation. -- Maya Kotomori * Document Journal *
A large-format book with beautiful images that includes thoughts from curators, poets and writers - all while infusing the cultural and distinctly different identities of communities. -- Kayla Macinnis * IndigiNews *
This is a gorgeous coffee table book that offers a visual delight of art by the leading practitioners of contemporary art from the Native American, Alaska Native, Inuit, and First Nations communities...I'd highly recommend. -- Bishara Hakim * Hyperallergic *
