Igniting History

A blank canvas, a sheet of white paper, a lump of clay. How do you begin? For Jeffrey Gibson, the art-making process often starts with research. He collects phrases from historical documents, literature, and music. Then he incorporates this found text into his art, using traditional techniques and materials to explore what it means to be Indigenous.

Native American artist Jeffrey Gibson starts his work with research. He studies historical documents, books, and music. He collects words and phrases. Then he uses this found text in his art. He also uses traditional techniques and materials to explore his culture and identity.

Geometric shapes appear throughout Gibson’s figurative and abstract art, as in his 2024 If Not Now Then When, below. This work also features a stylized, multicolor typeface, sometimes called the “Gibson alphabet.” If you didn’t know the work’s title, would you be able to read the phrase at the bottom?

Gibson was partly inspired by graffiti when he designed the letters that appear in many of his recent works. Using this alphabet is another way in which Gibson transforms words, inviting viewers to slow down as they read.

Geometric shapes are common in Gibson’s art. A good example is If Not Now Then When, below. This work features stylized text in a colorful typeface, or letters. Gibson often uses these letters in his work. They’re often called the “Gibson alphabet.”

Graffiti was one of the inspirations for Gibson’s alphabet. Using these letters is another way he transforms words. He invites viewers to slow down as they read and think about what the words really mean.

Notice the cone-shaped bells that adorn Gibson’s 2024 Treat Me Right, below. They are associated with the Jingle Dance. Scholars believe the dance originated in the 1920s and was originally performed for medicinal purposes.

The materials Gibson uses take on new meaning in his sculptures as well as in the context of the Venice Biennale. Many are traditional, such as the Jingles in Treat Me Right and the fringe in We Hold These Truths to Be Self-Evident and the two sculptures at the top of the page. But he also recognizes the importance of using those materials in ways that honor their histories. So he invited Indigenous American dancers and musicians to perform the Jingle Dance at the opening of the exhibition.

Gibson is interested in “bringing those traditions back and also continuing to build upon them.” How does his use of traditional materials and processes shine a light on history as well as the future?

The work below is called Treat Me Right. Notice the cone-shaped bells at the bottom. They relate to the Native American Jingle Dance. Experts believe the dance is from the 1920s. People originally performed it for healing purposes.

Gibson honors history by using traditional materials like bells, beads, and fringe. He also invited Native American dancers to perform the Jingle Dance in Venice.

Gibson is interested in “bringing those traditions back and also continuing to build upon them,” he says. How does he use traditional materials in modern ways?