The Indian Craze: Primitivism, Modernism, and Transculturation in American Art, 1890–1915 (Objects/Histories)

In the early twentieth century, Native American baskets, blankets, and bowls could be purchased from department stores, “Indian stores,” dealers, and the U.S. government’s Indian schools. Men and women across the United States indulged in a widespread passion for collecting Native American art, which they displayed in domestic nooks called “Indian corners.” Elizabeth Hutchinson identifies this collecting as part of a larger “Indian craze” and links it to other activities such as the inclusion of Native American artifacts in art exhibitions sponsored by museums, arts and crafts societies, and World’s Fairs, and the use of indigenous handicrafts as models for non-Native artists exploring formal abstraction and emerging notions of artistic subjectivity. She argues that the Indian craze convinced policymakers that art was an aspect of “traditional” Native culture worth preserving, an attitude that continues to influence popular attitudes and federal legislation.Illustrating her argument with images culled from late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century publications, Hutchinson revises the standard history of the mainstream interest in Native American material culture as “art.” While many locate the development of this cross-cultural interest in the Southwest after the First World War, Hutchinson reveals that it began earlier and spread across the nation from west to east and from reservation to metropolis. She demonstrates that artists, teachers, and critics associated with the development of American modernism, including Arthur Wesley Dow and Gertrude Käsebier, were inspired by Native art. Native artists were also able to achieve some recognition as modern artists, as Hutchinson shows through her discussion of the Winnebago painter and educator Angel DeCora. By taking a transcultural approach, Hutchinson transforms our understanding of the role of Native Americans in modernist culture.

Arts & Photography

Hutchinson, Elizabeth

History & Criticism

Duke University Press Books

In the early twentieth century, Native American baskets, blankets, and bowls could be purchased from department stores, “Indian stores,” dealers, and the U.S. government’s Indian schools. Men and women across the United States indulged in a widespread passion for collecting Native American art, which they displayed in domestic nooks called “Indian corners.” Elizabeth Hutchinson identifies this collecting as part of a larger “Indian craze” and links it to other activities such as the inclusion of Native American artifacts in art exhibitions sponsored by museums, arts and crafts societies, and World’s Fairs, and the use of indigenous handicrafts as models for non-Native artists exploring formal abstraction and emerging notions of artistic subjectivity. She argues that the Indian craze convinced policymakers that art was an aspect of “traditional” Native culture worth preserving, an attitude that continues to influence popular attitudes and federal legislation.
Illustrating her argument with images culled from late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century publications, Hutchinson revises the standard history of the mainstream interest in Native American material culture as “art.” While many locate the development of this cross-cultural interest in the Southwest after the First World War, Hutchinson reveals that it began earlier and spread across the nation from west to east and from reservation to metropolis. She demonstrates that artists, teachers, and critics associated with the development of American modernism, including Arthur Wesley Dow and Gertrude Käsebier, were inspired by Native art. Native artists were also able to achieve some recognition as modern artists, as Hutchinson shows through her discussion of the Winnebago painter and educator Angel DeCora. By taking a transcultural approach, Hutchinson transforms our understanding of the role of Native Americans in modernist culture.

Frelinghuysen, Alice Cooney, Hutchinson, Elizabeth

Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate

Frelinghuysen, Alice Cooney

Collections, Catalogs & Exhibitions

Metropolitan Museum of Art

Are you so tired and burned out that you feel life is running you instead of you living it? Have you lost faith in yourself, in your life, and in God? In "God, Are You Listening?" Elizabeth Hutchinson provides the inspiration you need to find meaning and purpose in your life. She shares her own story of how the stress and strain of her responsibilities propelled her toward a life-threatening case of burnout. She describes in accessible language the process she undertook to arrive at what she calls "heart consciousness." Sections include: The Challenge Journey Preparation Creating a Toolbox for the Journey Taking Inventory Deepening and Transforming Your Relationship with God The Homecoming: Celebrate the Creation of You Elizabeth draws on a number of techniques from psychology to spirit-centered disciplines bringing all aspects of mind, body, and spirit practice together to form a comprehensive healing path. She shares insightful stories that help build self-esteem and self-worth, she illustrates the power of word therapy, and how being in nature or listening to music can contribute to therapeutic growth. And a good deal more. At the end of each chapter, she provides exercises for further study. Elizabeth writes, "Be gentle with yourself and know that you will still have some 'bad' days. You will snap at your spouse or your children or have limited patience with the sales clerk or you may feel lonely. Old patterns are difficult to break, but the more you persist the easier it becomes. As soon as I give it over to God I find instant peace." In "God, Are You Listening?," you will find a thoughtful and encouraging teacher who will help you to find the joy, love, and peace each of us deserves.

God, Are You Listening?: Free Yourself from What is Holding You Back

Religion & Spirituality

Turning Stone Press

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Hutchinson, Elizabeth. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by Hutchinson, Elizabeth

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by Hutchinson, Elizabeth. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

The Indian Craze: Primitivism, Modernism, and Transculturation in American Art, 1890–1915 (Objects/Histories)

The Indian Craze: Primitivism, Modernism, and Transculturation in American Art, 1890–1915 (Objects/Histories)

Louis Comfort Tiffany and Laurelton Hall: An Artist's Country Estate

God, Are You Listening?: Free Yourself from What is Holding You Back