Collections / Explore the Collection
Today at the Museum

May 23, 2013

Thinking Globally: Exploring the MIA's Indian and Southeast Asian Art Collection

7 – 8 p.m.
Pillsbury Auditorium

Presenter: Risha Lee, the MIA's Jane Emison Assistant Curator of South and Southeast Asian Art. The MIA's Indian and Southeast Asian art collection contains many gems of art, produced in a variety of times and places. In an introduction to the collecti...

Shirt
Title:Shirt
Artist:A'aninin (Gros Ventre)
Date:c. 1890
Creation Place:North America, United States, Great Plains region, Montana,
Credit Line:The William Hood Dunwoody Fund and purchase through Art Quest 2001
Accession Number:2001.197
Decorated shirts were worn on the Plains by men who were highly regarded within their community. Created by women, this honor garment was a prestige item that represented the accomplishments of the owner. Over time a shirt can get damaged through use, and the beaded strips could be transferred to a newly created one, such as on this example. The body of this shirt is made of wool trade cloth that was created in Europe. The artist cleverly cut the undyed portion of this garment in order to have a two-color fringe, adding to the overall aesthetic effect.