Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Chris Makrenos created this artwork, "Cigar Store Indian," using watercolor and graphite on paper. The painting presents a full-length depiction of an Indian figure, rendered with careful attention to texture and detail. The figure's pose, shielding his eyes as if scanning the horizon, immediately draws us into a narrative of watchfulness. The use of color – earth tones for the skin and garments, contrasted with the vivid feathers – not only adds visual interest but also emphasizes the figure's connection to the land and tradition. Note how the artist uses line and form to create a sense of depth, particularly in the draping of the shawl and the contours of the face. This work invites us to consider representation. The semiotic weight of the figure is a commercial object and a symbol laden with cultural meaning. It destabilizes fixed notions of identity and authenticity. It prompts us to reflect on how signs and symbols are produced, circulated, and consumed within a given cultural context.