Art of Native America at The Met of New York

If you are interested in the history of Native Americans you should absolutely go see the Art of Native America exhibition. It brings you back to the 19th, early 20th century, and shows you the culture, fashion, and everyday items of Indigenous people. 

The exhibition displays works of more than fifty Native American groups, letting us see the similarities and differences between them, and make connections. 

What I was most fascinated by was the clothing. Every little detail had meaning, and each ornament was sewn in on purpose. One of such clothes is a man’s coat, which was made with deerskin. The coat has white and indigo outlines - these colors are classic for the Lenape people. The ornaments of the coat signify physical and spiritual health and well-being. 

Another piece of clothing, the parka, which comes from Alaska, honors all the animals that died for the creation of this clothing: dried seal intestines help create the parchment-like texture of the parka, and the birds’ beaks and feathers were used as a decoration. 

Clothes could also show the status of the family. For example, one of the women’s dresses had a lot of beading, as well as highly-priced elk teeth and shells. 

This made me think about what I wear myself, and how it correlates to who I am. Do I choose my clothing based on comfort, or am I trying to show my personality through it? It is very interesting to think how fashion varies in different times and cultures, and what it is based on. 

The other thing that I enjoyed seeing was everyday items like combs, baskets, and bowls. This helped me imagine what the everyday life of Native Americans looked like, what their activities were, and what they cared about. And in the same way as with clothing, each element had its meaning. The carvings on combs, and the ornaments on baskets - all of those represented the culture of the Indigenous people. 

There was definitely a lot to see and learn about, and it was a great first step for me to get to know a new culture that I had never encountered before. Art of Native America helps you dive into history in a very friendly way that makes you want to discover and see more. 

Article and photos by Mary Zakharova