Necklace c. 20th century

Editor: Here we have a 20th-century mixed-media necklace created by Navajo artists, on display at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. The indigo beads really catch my eye. How might we interpret this work in the context of Navajo history? Curator: The necklace’s creation occurred in the context of significant cultural disruption and exchange for the Diné. These "trade beads" were not traditionally Navajo, so we have to consider how introduced materials transformed Indigenous aesthetics and identities. What stories can we unearth from something seemingly so simple? Editor: That makes me think about the resourcefulness and adaptation inherent in Indigenous cultures. But what does it signify that the raw materials come from outside? Does that change the way we perceive its value? Curator: Precisely! These beads became integrated into their artistry during periods of forced assimilation, but also demonstrate a remarkable act of cultural sovereignty and artistic expression within oppressive systems. How did this object become a marker of resistance and cultural continuity? The rich color perhaps stands in stark contrast to the forced bleakness many people experienced in these periods? Editor: That really shifts my understanding. Seeing it that way makes it a powerful statement of resilience rather than just a beautiful accessory. Curator: Exactly. Now consider this: How does it reshape our understanding of decorative art when we see it acting as a testament to a group's ability to not only endure but transform and make a piece of themselves in the face of incredible difficulties? Editor: Wow, I’m looking at it with entirely new eyes. The way external influences are taken and transformed... It makes the necklace almost like a quiet act of defiance and a statement about cultural strength. Curator: That's it, you’ve hit the mark. Now think about that with every other art object you see!