Twentieth-century American Indian Artists: An Issue of Identity

Abstract

This article examines issues of identity in twentieth-century American Indian art through the work of Allan Houser, Bob Haozous, and Fritz Scholder. It argues that these artists confronted a tension between preserving tribal heritage and achieving recognition within the Western art world. Initially influenced by the Santa Fe Indian style, they later moved toward more universal artistic expressions that reflect contemporary experiences. The study highlights Houser’s transition from painting to sculpture as part of this shift. It demonstrates how these artists negotiated the relationship between cultural identity and artistic innovation within both indigenous and mainstream contexts.

(The abstract and keywords were prepared retrospectively for indexing purposes using AI-assisted tools and editorial review, based on the original article. They did not appear in the original publication.)