Native art depicts many points of view

Sophomore Hanna Schechter’s eyes light up as she talks about seeing native art from different perspectives.

Schechter said she enjoys being able to see multiple images in one kind of art. “Seeing how (artists) interpret everything is really cool,” Schechter said.

The art exhibit, Arriving at Fresh Water: Contemporary Native Arts from our Great Lakes, is located at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The exhibit features art from local artists from the states surrounding the great lakes, including Minnesota.

Schechter said she likes knowing Minnesota can create and present impressive art.

“It’s really cool to know that there’s a lot of blooming talent in Minnesota,” Schechter said .

MIA curator Jill Ahlberg Yohe said she runs the exhibit along with a few other Native American collections.

“Native American art is so powerful because the best contemporary art is based on millennial old art that is always changing,” Ahlberg Yohe said.

Ahlberg Yohe said she likes how the art is very moving exceeds expectations.

“It’s native artists pushing the limits in amazing ways,” Ahlberg Yohe said.

One of the things Ahlberg Yohe said she wants museum visitors to know is that this native art covers such a large area and impacts so many people.

“The art exemplifies a very vast trade network,” Ahlberg Yohe said.

Ahlberg Yohe also said she wants people to think about what they are feeling when they view the art.

“How people view and think about native art, I want them to reflect upon that,” Ahlberg Yohe said.

Ahlberg Yohe also said the native art can be very relevant to high school students. She said the museum recently received a native piece of pottery with pop art relating to Caitlyn Jenner.

“It’s the contemporary art world where you can see those influences,” Ahlberg Yohe said.

The exhibit is free to the public and will remain open until next February.