MMIW

Katrina Mitten, MMIW, 2020, cotton fabric, ribbon, Czech seed beads, bone, shell, Overall: 4 3441 181 58 in. Mask and Beads: 4 347 781 58 in. Mask: 3 587 581 58 in. Right upper tie: 16 1258 in. Right lower tie: 16 5858 in. Left upper tie: 16 1458 in. Left lower tie: 16 1858 in., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund, 2020.29.1, © 4/2020, Katrina Mitten

Artwork Details

Title
MMIW
Date
2020
Dimensions
Overall: 4 3441 181 58 in. Mask and Beads: 4 347 781 58 in. Mask: 3 587 581 58 in. Right upper tie: 16 1258 in. Right lower tie: 16 5858 in. Left upper tie: 16 1458 in. Left lower tie: 16 1858 in.
Copyright
© 4/2020, Katrina Mitten
Credit Line
Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund
Mediums Description
cotton fabric, ribbon, Czech seed beads, bone, shell
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory
  • Figure — fragment — hand
Object Number
2020.29.1

Artwork Description

Katrina Mitten created the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) face mask as a statement of solidarity and awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains, “Many women use the red handprint to bring attention to the horrible injustices that are occurring in indigenous communities throughout North America. Having to wear protective masks for our health would cover those who choose to paint the handprint on their faces, and I beaded it onto the mask.”


At the age of twelve, Mitten began learning the traditional arts of the Miami, a Native nation whose name for itself is Myaamia, meaning the “Downstream People.” She continues to make traditional clothing and practice Miami-style beadwork.


This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, 2022

Works by this artist (16 items)

Emily Clayton Bishop, Woman Shelling Peas, 1911, ceramic: clay/bisque fired, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Miss Beatrice Fenton and Miss Marjorie D. Martinet, 1976.127.2
Woman Shelling Peas
Date1911
ceramic: clay/bisque fired
On view
Emily Clayton Bishop, Baby Joe, 1909, relief/plaster/cast and varnished, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Miss Beatrice Fenton and Miss Marjorie D. Martinet, 1976.127.1
Baby Joe
Date1909
relief/plaster/cast and varnished
Not on view
Emily Clayton Bishop, Nymph and Faun, 1908, plaster/cast and stained, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Miss Beatrice Fenton and Miss Marjorie D. Martinet, 1976.127.16
Nymph and Faun
Date1908
plaster/cast and stained
Not on view

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More Artworks from the Collection

William H. Johnson, Tunisian Street Scene with Figures, ca. 1932, watercolor and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.38
Tunisian Street Scene with Figures
Dateca. 1932
watercolor and pencil on paper
Not on view
Terry Schoonhoven, Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals, Pasadena, California, 1984, watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1987.13.1
Study for Morning Room Murals, U. S. Court of Appeals,…
Date1984
watercolor, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Trees, Fjord and Mountains, Norway, ca. 1935-1938, watercolor with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.451
Trees, Fjord and Mountains, Norway
Dateca. 1935-1938
watercolor with pencil on paper
Not on view
Cass Gilbert, Arches of Palace of Nero, 1933, watercolor and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Emily Finch Gilbert through Julia Post Bastedo, executor, 1962.13.67
Arches of Palace of Nero
Date1933
watercolor and pencil on paper
Not on view