Jumping off from a chapter of her first book that focuses on Pueblo artists, Scott’s new work is devoted entirely to Pueblo painters working in New Mexico. These Indigenous artists, she explains, built on a long tradition within their communities of advocating for themselves and fighting colonialism, which was happening long before Anglo activists caught up.
She chronicles acts of resistance in the form of art that celebrated Pueblo culture and ceremonial traditions even as the government was trying to erase them. She also looks at how Pueblo artists also resisted colonial forces by protecting their communities from the exploitive gaze of outsiders. “In these paintings, the artists were very careful about what they share, protecting certain information from outsiders,” Scott says.
Her work takes a holistic look at individual artists—not only interpreting their paintings, which articulate themes of resistance and resilience, but also examining their more practical dealings with colonialism, the market, fair pay and labor conditions.
The last major monograph that took a broad look at early 20th-century modern Pueblo painting was published nearly 30 years ago, in 1997; since that time, “the field of art history has shifted as scholars attend to methodological and ethical frameworks proposed by the field of Indigenous studies,” Scott says. “When writing about Native artists, it should always be done in collaboration and conversation with Indigenous communities. I respect their sovereignty and I take seriously the communities’ and families’ voices and stories.” Most Pueblo communities shut their borders for over two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which hit Indigenous communities particularly hard. This summer, Scott was able to visit New Mexico and resume discussions with Pueblo tribal liaisons, curators and family members. She’s on track to complete the project in 2024.
The New Foundation of Art History (NFAH) was founded in 2019 to provide funding for early and mid-career scholars and work that has been underserved or overlooked by established granting institutions. Per their stated mission, “the NFAH wants to lead by example towards a more equitable future of the discipline, and one where excellence is promoted and rewarded in the broadest ways possible.”
Story by Laura Wallis
