Rattlesnake Star 1997

This is Jimmie Durham’s ‘Rattlesnake Star’ installation, which combines painting and sculpture. It's an intriguing piece that invites us to think about the intersection of art, culture, and identity. Durham, of Cherokee descent, consistently engages with questions of representation, authenticity, and the politics of indigeneity. Made in the late 20th or early 21st century, this work reflects a growing awareness of post-colonialism in the art world. Note how the shiny, almost celestial surface of the painting contrasts with the mundane reality of the plumbing attached to the metal stand. Durham might be referencing the institutional framing of art itself. It invites us to consider the power dynamics inherent in the act of displaying and interpreting cultural artifacts. To understand Durham’s art, one must consider the history of Native American representation in art and museums, and the artist’s own critical engagement with these institutions. By examining exhibition histories, critical reviews, and the artist’s own writings, we can start to appreciate the complex layers of meaning in this deceptively simple work.