Poncho c. 1850 - 1900

Curator: Here we have a "Poncho", created circa 1850-1900. It is an anonymous piece hailing from the Indigenous Americas, found right here in the Minneapolis Institute of Art's collection. It's predominantly made of cotton textile. Editor: Wow, look at this. Immediately, I’m struck by the vibrant, rhythmic order of the woven stripes against that… defiant diamond in the middle. It gives me a feeling like some sort of message or secret code, hiding in plain sight, don’t you think? Curator: I'd say the power of textile lies in their capability of communicating culture and belonging. Garments are almost a kind of embodied archive. I wonder if this poncho played a part in cultural practices, or rituals for a particular community. We can really delve into Indigenous history. Editor: Exactly! And that central diamond, like a bold badge – what's that about? It is adorned by what appear to be seed-like objects clustered near its center, as if to say life springs forth from even the most rigid geometry. I wonder, are they buttons? Curator: The geometric patterns likely carry symbolic meaning tied to Indigenous worldviews, possibly relating to cosmology, nature, or community identity. It reflects a historical period of intense cultural exchange and sometimes cultural clashes, I should add. Editor: And it has got to have a great feel, all that texture against the skin! It looks great from a distance but is equally striking when zoomed up close. Curator: These textiles were tools of resistance and preservation. The choice of colours, patterns, materials – all served a purpose. A really crucial way that traditional knowledges and practices get transferred from one generation to the next. Editor: Makes you wonder who wore it, and where they wore it, all of it whispers tales of resilience and the profound connection between people and place, doesn’t it? Almost makes you want to start wearing one too! Curator: Precisely, a deep dive like this enhances our understanding of artistic practices as being shaped and deeply interwoven in power dynamics. This is why looking into a garment helps contextualize our comprehension of social justice. Editor: Absolutely. And as artists we get a tangible sense of its weight – both physical, and metaphorical. I think it calls to the spirit, this Poncho does!