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Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift

Jessica Boehm

Wide abstract painting of tall, whimsical totem-like shapes in warm oranges, browns, greens, and blues; a textured collage of geometric patterns, circles, and plant motifs fills the canvas. — Tony Abeyta, "Celebration from the Underworld," 1998-1999. Oil on canvas. William P. Healey Collection of Native American Art at PhoenixArt Museum, Gift of William P. Healey. Photo: Davin Lavikka

A new Phoenix Art Museum exhibit will explore Native American history, culture and storytelling, thanks to a historic donation of nearly 200 works by Indigenous artists.

Why it matters: The new artwork fills a "critical gap" in the museum's Art of the Americas collection and will provide a deeper, more complex understanding of Native artists' role in shaping modern and contemporary art, director Jeremy Mikolajczak said in a statement.

Driving the news: The museum announced the gift Tuesday, describing it as the largest influx of Native American art in its 65-plus-year history.

The collection, which includes paintings, drawings, photographs and sculptures from the 20th century on, was donated by William Healey.
It features work from 99 Native artists representing 44 tribal nations.

Zoom in: About half of the donated pieces will be displayed in an exhibition debuting in August.

"The Way We Came: A Century of Indigenous Art" will center on the concept of "survivance," a reflection of "how Indigenous peoples move beyond mere survival toward an active, creative sense of presence that carries knowledge forward," according to a press release.

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Phoenix Art Museum unveils major Indigenous art gift

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