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
  • Figure — fragment — hand
  • Dress — accessory
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 (14 items)

Nellie Mae Rowe, At the Art Gallery, 1979, crayon and felt tip on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment and the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, 2021.29.10
At the Art Gallery
Date1979
crayon and felt tip on paper
Not on view
Nellie Mae Rowe, Untitled (Four-Leaf Clover and Little Zebra), 1980, marker on silver gelatin print, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment and the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, 2021.29.6
Untitled (Four-Leaf Clover and Little Zebra)
Date1980
marker on silver gelatin print
Not on view
Nellie Mae Rowe, Church Lady in Pants Suit, 1980, crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment and the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, 2021.29.9
Church Lady in Pants Suit
Date1980
crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view
Nellie Mae Rowe, Untitled (Landscape with Black Girl), ca. 1980, crayon on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 1997.124.131
Untitled (Landscape with Black Girl)
Dateca. 1980
crayon on paper
Not on view

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More Artworks from the Collection

Nellie Mae Rowe, Church Lady in Pants Suit, 1980, crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment and the American Women's History Initiative Acquisitions Pool, administered by the Smithsonian American Women's History Initiative, 2021.29.9
Church Lady in Pants Suit
Date1980
crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view
Man Ray, Détachement-soulever le fil-regarder le dessín, 1970, felt-tipped pen and ink, crayon, pencil, string and postage stamp on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Juliet Man Ray, 1980.102.3
Détachement-soulever le fil-regarder le dessín
Artist
Date1970
felt-tipped pen and ink, crayon, pencil, string and postage stamp on paper
Not on view
Bill Beirne, Cross Reference, production notes (directional diagram), 1976, crayon, pencil, and ink on paper with additions in collage, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Gene Davis Memorial Fund, 2015.6.6, © 1976, Bill Beirne
Cross Reference, production notes (directional diagram)
Date1976
crayon, pencil, and ink on paper with additions in collage
Not on view