First American Art Magazine No. 2, Spring 2014 | Page 6

Editor’s Greetings

C

AN THE ENGLISH WORD “ART” be stretched to
include Indigenous American concepts of art? I believe
so, but the first step is to acknowledge that “art” means
different things to different peoples. In Native communities
throughout the Americas and the world, art is integrated into
every aspect of daily and ceremonial life. As we collectively
shape Native American art history and critical theory, we must
keep art relevant to our communal lives. We cannot allow it
to become a rarified, esoteric intellectual pursuit for the few;
we need to ensure that our art keeps its living heart and soul
and resonates with the people. For the public to understand
Indigenous art, we need to articulate the values that our art
embodies, which is the goal of First American Art Magazine.
This issue is strategically eclectic. We want to introduce
different communities within the Native art world to each
other and to the public. By showcasing artists and art from
diverse times, geographical regions, media, and approaches, First
American Art Magazine reflects the complexity and depth of our
Native art world to stoke curiosity and elicit questions.

Unknown Ka’apor artist, Pu’ir (necklace), 1955-1962, macaw and
toucan feathers, cotinga scalps, tree gum, cordage, Pará, Brazil, National
Museum of the American Indian 23/3269. Image courtesy of NMAI.

A heartfelt “thank you” goes out to all the people who support
this magazine and make it possible, especially you, our reader.

—America Meredith

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