Indian and Contemporary Chair

Throughout his life, Fritz Scholder struggled with his dual identity as a Native American and white man. He rejected the label of "American Indian artist" and instead found his inspiration in mid-twentieth century artists such as Wayne Thiebaud. Later in his career, Scholder began creating images of Indigenous people in direct response to what he perceived as the "over-romanticized paintings of the 'noble savage.'" In the past, white artists have often depicted Indigenous subjects in natural settings, grounding their identity within the landscape. In Indian and Contemporary Chair, Scholder's choice to place his subject indoors, in a mid-century modern chair, undercuts stereotypes that confine Native people to nostalgic landscapes, and points to the complexities of living in a modern world.

Many Wests: Artists Shape an American Idea, 2023