Autry Museum of the American West
4700 W. Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027, (323) 667-2000 www.theautry.org
The Autry Museum of the American West’s Art of the West is the first major core exhibition within a Western art museum to fully integrate artistic perspectives from Native, Hispanic and Euro-american artists across historical eras in a dialogue about some of the major forces that have shaped the West. Featuring several large-scale, monumental works such as Alaskan totem poles, a contemporary crucifix and a 1948 Indian Loadmaster as well as Thomas Moran’s masterwork, Mountain of the Holy Cross, the gallery blends different media, textures, colors and cultures. It also includes many of the standard-bearers of Western American art, such as Frederic Remington and Maynard Dixon, but blends their work with contemporary artists including those from LA and Native America, such as John Sonsini, James Doolin and Rose B. Simpson. A notable recent addition to the gallery includes Simpson’s monumental sculpture Ground.
The Autry’s upcoming exhibition Dress Codes & China Poblano will deconstruct some of the staple items in its closets: plaid shirts, jeans and, of course, boots. Many of these items have a long and rich history, from their functional origins to the way the garments have been adapted and appropriated by different groups for a fascinating variety of cultural and political statements.
The Masters of the American West each February is always a highlight. This year the Autry welcomes some exciting new additions including Grant Redden, Steve Kestrel and sisters Autumn Borts-medlock and Tammy Garcia. The museum has also made a number of changes to the format of the event, designed to infuse the Masters with a little more excitement.