Indian Hall 1935 - 1943

Mortimer Borne created this etching, "Indian Hall," as part of the Federal Art Project. Borne’s print captures a moment of cultural encounter within the museum space, raising questions about how we engage with cultural artifacts. The hall is filled with totem poles, monumental sculptures significant to many indigenous cultures of the Pacific Northwest. A visitor stands amidst these towering figures, her gaze directed upwards, suggesting curiosity, reverence, or perhaps even a sense of being overwhelmed. During the time this was made, there was growing cultural awareness, but also continued appropriation and misrepresentation of indigenous cultures. Borne prompts us to consider the museum's role in shaping perceptions and narratives around cultural heritage. This image invites reflection on the power dynamics inherent in how cultural artifacts are displayed, interpreted, and ultimately, understood.