What is an American? thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

What is an American?

Print
2003 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Native American artist Jaune Quick-to-see Smith is of mixed Salish, French, Cree and Shoshone descent. What is An American? takes the form of a parfleche (literally ‘parry arrow’). This traditional Native American ‘carry-all’ is made from buffalo hide soaked in lye, dried, decoratively painted, then folded and tied. It also, symbolically, carries messages about origins, history and identity.

In this print Smith has brought together symbols of white America with those of Native Americans, alluding to the mixing of these two very different cultures. Made in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the USA, the work questions the patriotism exhibited by many Americans at this time. Claiming the right not to be violated by invaders and aggressors, they had apparently forgotten past violations of Native America.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleWhat is an American? (assigned by artist)
Materials and techniques
Lithograph on six sheets of Japanese Tableau paper pasted together, with chine collé, collage, hand painting and grommets
Brief description
What is an American? (2003) by Jaune-Quick-to-see Smith. Printed image of a Native American figure, surrounded by symbols of American culture
Physical description
Large sheet made of 6 smaller sheets pasted together, printed over with an image of a striding figure in profile in traditional Native American dress, but cut off at neck and ankles. One hand, visible at the centre of the image has tatooed images of saints on the fingers and hand applied red, blue and white paint spurts from her palm. Surrounding this figure are collaged-on elements of repeat image buffaloes ( reproduced from a US postage stamp and other images which suggest American culture, such as Perrier water, Bingo, Mickey Mouse, a comic image ( possibly a reproduction of a Roy Lichtenstein) Barbie dolls but also one or two references to Native American culture in images of herbs and moths. The sheet has been folded and the fold lines are visible. At the top are grommets which provide holes for suspending the sheet
Dimensions
  • Printed to edge of sheet height: 175cm
  • Printed to edge of sheet width: 101.6cm
Production typeLimited edition
Copy number
12/20
Marks and inscriptions
'JQTS [not clearly legible] Smith. / 12/20' (Signature; edition number)
Credit line
Purchased through the Julie and Robert Breckman Print Fund
Subjects depicted
Place depicted
Summary
Native American artist Jaune Quick-to-see Smith is of mixed Salish, French, Cree and Shoshone descent. What is An American? takes the form of a parfleche (literally ‘parry arrow’). This traditional Native American ‘carry-all’ is made from buffalo hide soaked in lye, dried, decoratively painted, then folded and tied. It also, symbolically, carries messages about origins, history and identity.

In this print Smith has brought together symbols of white America with those of Native Americans, alluding to the mixing of these two very different cultures. Made in the wake of the September 11 attacks on the USA, the work questions the patriotism exhibited by many Americans at this time. Claiming the right not to be violated by invaders and aggressors, they had apparently forgotten past violations of Native America.
Collection
Accession number
E.3582-2004

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdDecember 23, 2005
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest