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A Federal Art Project: Posters for Indian Court

January 14 - June 17, 2012

 

In 1938, Oakland, California based artist Louis Siegriest (1899-1989) was hired by the Federal Art Project (FAP) to create posters for the Golden Gate International Exposition of 1939 in San Francisco.  The FAP was a branch of the Works Progress Administration, established to employ artists during the Great Depression and to provide art for public institutions. Between 1935 and 1943, the FAP commissioned thousands of artworks intended to document American culture and improve the quality of life in the United States.  Posters were common, as they could be mass produced and widely distributed.

The 1939 Golden Gate Exposition celebrated the opening of the Oakland Bay and Golden Gate Bridges and highlighted the diverse cultures of the Pacific Northwest.  The Indian Court was located in the north wing of the Federal Building amidst seven acres of exhibitions that presented a "Pageant of America." The project was led by the Director of the Federal Indian Arts and Crafts Board, René d'Harnoncourt, whose mission was to educate visitors on the native cultures of North America and to promote the production of and appreciation for authentic Native American arts and crafts.  

Visitors to the Indian Court enjoyed a comprehensive presentation including an introductory hall with an overview of native groups, a series of galleries that explored the unique cultures featured on the posters, and a fine arts exhibition that showcased exceptional examples of contemporary Native American artwork. An open market allowed visitors to observe live artist demonstrations and purchase authentic goods.

For $3.00 an hour, Louis Siegriest supervised the stencil cutting and printing of the posters in the lower level of a boat anchored off Treasure Island. While Siegriest received credit for the promotional material, the designs were adapted from work produced by Native American artists in the 1930's. The artists who contributed resource material received little recognition and some remain unknown.

Poster sets were widely distributed as an educational resource and a marketing tool until the supply was exhausted. The U.S. government granted requests from publically funded institutions such as museums, universities, and libraries.  An acknowledgement letter found in the Memphis Brooks Museum of Art's collection files suggests that museum staff requested a set in 1939. The government also solicited orders from major transportation companies such as American Airlines and the Pacific Greyhound. As a result, an estimated 1,250,000 people experienced the Indian Court exhibition.

A Federal Art Project: Posters for Indian Court is curated by Jenny Hornby, Assistant Curator of Education, Memphis Brooks Museum of Art.

 

Exhibition Labels

 

1. PUEBLO TURTLE DANCERS FROM AN INDIAN PAINTING, NEW MEXICO, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.1
 
The Pueblo turtle dancers were taken from a painting by Vicenti Mirabal (ca.1917-1945), a Taos Pueblo artist also known as Chiu-Tah. Mirabal studied art at the Santa Fe Indian School where he was later employed as an instructor.
 
 
2. POMO INDIAN BASKET, CALIFORNIA, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.2
 
Pomo Indian Basketwas the first poster produced by Siegriest. When René d'Harnoncourt, Director of the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, saw the work, he commissioned Siegriest to create an additional seven prints to promote the Indian Court exhibition.
 
 
3. FROM AN INDIAN PAINTING ON ELKSKIN, GREAT PLAINS, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.3
 
 
4. BLANKET DESIGN OF THE HAIDA INDIANS, ALASKA, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.7
 
 
5. APACHE DEVIL DANCER FROM AN INDIAN PAINTING, ARIZONA, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.5
 
The Mountain Spirit Dance was labeled the Apache Devil Dance by white settlers due to the unusual costumes and the ceremony which was performed by the tribe at night. The design was taken from a painting by an Apache art student of the 1930's named Dewey.
 
 
6. ANTELOPE HUNT FROM A NAVAHO DRAWING, NEW MEXICO, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.6
 
The antelope hunt design was created by Narciso Platero Abeyta (1918-1998), a Navajo artist also known as Ha-So-De. Abeyta studied art at the Santa Fe Indian School and the University of New Mexico. The artist's son, Tony Abeyta, is also a professional artist. In 2004, his paintingAnthemwas chosen as the official image of the grand opening of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C.
 
 
7. ESKIMO MASK, WESTERN ALASKA, 1939
 
Silkscreen poster
 
Gift of the Office of Indian Affairs, Department of the
 
Interior  39.18.8
 
Seven of the eight commissioned posters were on display Because of its condition,Chippewa Picture Writing-Seneca Maskwas not included in this exhibition.
 

Editor's note: RL readers may also enjoy:

Also view images of the posters from New Mexico's Degital Collections from the University of New Mexico.

For biographical information please see America's Distinguished Artists, a national registry of historic artists

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