Tribe of Baskets

Ed Rossbach, Tribe of Baskets, 1970, polyethylene, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1992.46A
Copied Ed Rossbach, Tribe of Baskets, 1970, polyethylene, 8 1876 58 in. (20.717.816.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1992.46A

Artwork Details

Title
Tribe of Baskets
Artist
Date
1970
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
8 1876 58 in. (20.717.816.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums
Mediums Description
polyethylene
Classifications
Object Number
1992.46A

Artwork Description

Ed Rossbach taught himself the technique of “plaiting,” or interweaving, in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He used this method to create wall hangings and baskets out of a wide variety of natural grasses and palm leaves, as well as from plastic tubing, as here in Tribe of Baskets. The artist created similar groups of baskets out of diagonally plaited cotton or foil. The title of this piece refers to the familial grouping of pieces, but may also have been Rossbach’s way of poking fun at the “serious” artists who insisted on keeping indigenous Native American basketmaking traditions at the forefront.