I recently visited the Missoula Art Museum in Missoula, Montana, and was quite impressed with the galleries and the exhibitions. My favorite was “The Shape of Things: New Approaches to Indigenous Abstraction.” Four Native artists were invited to participate in printmaking residencies supported by the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. Each artist visited Missoula for one week, created new work, interacted with the community, and gave a public lecture. Each artist was encouraged to work in any given style, knowing that the results would be presented as part of this exhibition. Following are three of my favorite pieces, all from Molly Murphy-Adams.

Molly Murphy-Adams (Oglala, Sioux), Lizard Spine-Green (etching, drypoint, beadwork)

Molly Murphy-Adams, Lenape Bandolier-Eggplant (two-color screen print)

Molly Murphy-Adams, Anog Ite (Sewing box with QR codes)

The QR codes told a story; my phone worked on two of the panels: “For the shame to her family, neglect of her children, and humiliation of Janwi, Anog Ite and her parents are banished to the barren world.” “Anog Ite lived in loneliness and grief for her children but still had talent and compassion. She helped the First People as they emerged from the Wind Cave.”

The exhibition is on display until July 28th.