Cigar Store Indian c. 1937

Editor: This is "Cigar Store Indian," created around 1937, seemingly a sculpture made of wood and paint. There's something about the figure's rigid pose that feels both imposing and unsettling. What's your take on this work? Curator: Well, immediately I’m struck by the complex layers of appropriation and representation. The "Cigar Store Indian," while presented as folk art, speaks to a long history of the commodification and misrepresentation of Indigenous peoples. Consider its original function: an advertisement. How does placing an Indigenous figure outside a shop selling tobacco engage with power dynamics and stereotypes? Editor: That's a perspective I hadn't fully considered. The commercial aspect definitely changes the reading of the piece. Curator: Precisely. These figures often flatten complex identities into simplistic, romanticized, or even caricatured versions. Can you see how the artist may have used stereotypical tropes in the attire or posture of the figure? Editor: I see it in the exaggerated features and the somewhat generic clothing. It seems to lack a specific tribal affiliation, further generalizing the image. Curator: And how might this generalization contribute to a broader narrative of erasure or cultural dominance? This wasn't just a commercial decision, but a reflection of societal attitudes. Editor: I guess it strips away the individual’s and the tribe’s identity. This makes me realize the title itself contributes to that erasure. I had never thought of it this way. Curator: Exactly. So, examining this work through a critical lens pushes us to question the historical context and ongoing implications of such representations. Editor: That is true, this piece reveals a dark chapter in American history and reminds us to question representations.