Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Editor: This watercolor, "Cigar Store Indian," made around 1937, is quite striking. The figure is presented so formally. It almost feels staged, and yet carries such a weight of history and cultural significance. What are your thoughts on it? Curator: Indeed. What captures me is how it reframes a ubiquitous object laden with complex symbolism. The cigar store Indian, originally meant to beckon customers, here is reborn as a subject for contemplation. Notice how Ryder renders it - the rigid pose, the weathered textures, and the slightly melancholic gaze. Doesn’t it evoke the weight of cultural memory and perhaps even a critique of its commodification? Editor: That's a really interesting point about commodification. It does feel like it’s taking a symbol that had been reduced to just sales and reclaiming some of its cultural importance. Do you think the artist is trying to get people to reconsider their perceptions? Curator: Precisely! Look at the symbolism: the feathered headdress, the blanket… They speak volumes of heritage, but also hint at the loss and misrepresentation experienced by Indigenous peoples. Ryder, in focusing on this form, almost compels us to confront the complicated relationship between representation, identity, and commercial exploitation. The colours, how do you see them affecting your experience of this object? Editor: They almost feel muted, subdued. The feathers hint at brighter colours, but they’re faded, not vibrant. Like a memory that’s been washed out over time. Curator: A beautiful observation! And perhaps a key to understanding the power of this piece. It's not just a portrait, but a reflection on cultural survival, adaptation, and the enduring power of symbols to tell stories, even when those stories are painful or incomplete. Editor: That gives me so much more to think about in terms of how art can unpack cultural meaning. I'm struck by the layering of image and meaning here. Thank you!