Native American Art
By Joy J. Fine
Unlike many art forms Native American art plays a different role in the culture of these people. Their art forms were not only symbols of their life; many of them were useful objects that were needed in their daily lives. These objects, despite some being used to carry food, keep them warm or paying homage to the spirits, were always made painstakingly careful with great love and care. They used everything at hand in their art. The rough materials were in the form of rocks, skins, beads, cloth, feathers or cornhusks. Nothing was wasted. Native American art encompasses so many aspects of the daily lives of the people. It thanks the animal spirits for making their lives better, for making the hunts successful or the rain coming to grow the crops for them.
Jewelry was another form of art to them that served more than one purpose. The two most popular materials used were turquoise stones and silver. The Navajos were known more for the silver earrings, necklaces and bracelets. But this lovely jewelry was more than simply something to use to enhance a person’s appearance. The native peoples believed that wearing these pieces would offer them some protection, that it would give them good fortune, and protect them from evil. They believed that these beautiful pieces could help
them.
The totem pole is another serious Native American art form. These incredible works of art were more like a photo album of a family’s history. They would be on display for all to see and as children grew up they could see the history of the family they belonged to. Sadly, most of the older totem poles have since rotted and crumbled away so they are not available to be admired. This is because they were carved from wood. There were people in the tribe who were carvers. They would be paid by being given them food and shelter. These artists would then carve the story. When the chief of a tribe died his story would be carved in the totem pole to show the great things he did in his lifetime. Another reason that samples of these are long gone is that the Christian missionaries disapproved of what they thought were heathen displays. They destroyed them to prevent the native people from praying to them, which, of course, they did not do. This art form is returning; though not all totem poles are carved in wood sometimes glass or stone are used. These take much longer to complete.
Blankets were woven with beautiful patterns, but they were more than just for show. The blankets were made differently depending on what they were to be used for. Lightweight ones were made to wear, or to wrap small children in. Heavy duty ones were used to keep warm at night. The patterns were often unique to each tribe. Pottery was another Native American art form. Beautiful pieces were made with images of bears, eagles or people. Wedding vases, usually with two spouts, were made to celebrate the joining of two people. The pottery was brightly colored and made not only to use but to trade. Unfortunately, this too was lost when the Europeans pushed the native people away from their homelands. Today the art of the Native American people is still very much alive and so much of their ancestry is being recaptured this way and allowed to live on.
