End of the Trail Gallery

Enhanced "End of the Trail" Gallery at the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

CORNING, NY - A new installation on the third floor of the Rockwell Museum of Western Art asks the viewer to think about their own perceptions of history and how they are formed. What stereotypes do you hold of Native American cultures? From where do those ideas come? Are the scenes depicted in some of the most famous Western paintings and sculptures historically accurate? How have stereotypes of Native Americans changed over time?

In this new installation, the viewer sees the old with the new - traditional Western art perceived by contemporary people through an artistic response. All of which captures the essence of a stereotype of the time - that of a diminishing Native American race and culture, perpetuated in part by the art itself.

The centerpiece of this gallery, appropriately, is "The End of the Trail" by James Earl Fraser (1876-1953). Fraser, who sympathized with Native tribes suffering in the face of westward expansion, created this piece at a time when most Euro-Americans believed that Native Americans were a vanishing race. During that time, Fraser struggled with two perceptions - that indigenous were stereotyped as either spiritual people or fierce war-mongers. He struggled with which type to depict, but ultimately chose to replace a shield with a medicine bag to symbolize knowledge and spirituality. Despite this detail, this piece continues to be a controversial representation of Native Americans.

Fritz Scholder, an artist of Native American descent, would often deconstruct famous images of Indians through his artistry. In "Indian Cliché," Scholder simultaneously tackles one of the most famous Indian stereotypes - the vanishing race - and one of the most enduring Indian images -Fraser's "The End of the Trail." Scholder's "Indian Cliché" is displayed close to "The End of the Trail" sculpture so that visitors can view Fraser's sculpture, while studying Scholder's more contemporary interpretation.

Also on view is "Edward Curtis' Last Photograph" by Larry McNeil, a playful look beneath the beautiful composition and lighting of Edward Sherriff Curtis's photographs. Like Fraser, Curtis had much to do with perpetuating the idea of a tragic and dying race in popular culture. While many artists sought to document Native Americans they respected, their first concern was chiefly an aesthetically pleasing product that frequently sacrificed cultural or historical accuracy for perfect composition. While such details were relatively minute, collectively they imprinted upon public perception and helped to form stereotypes. In "Edward Curtis' Last Photograph," McNeil confronts the many stereotypes that have origins in early American photography, including Curtis's work. Curtis, who set out to document the tribes of North America, made the same mistakes many of his artistic contemporaries: 1) to assume that all Native Americans are part of a single culture; and 2) to sacrifice ethnographic accuracy for composition. Artists of his day frequently asked Indian models to wear objects foreign to their own culture, or posed them aesthetically instead of photographing them performing their own ritual activities. Little did anyone know that such small details would become indelibly imprinted on the public's imagination.
About the Rockwell Museum of Western Art

In these tough economic times, we recognize that the concept of "community" means so much. In response, we are offering free admission on Sundays now through March 2009. We invite you, our community, to the Museum and to be inspired by our vision, collections and programs. Kids & Teens are always FREE (19 & under). In the last days of February, don't forget to check out a "Diversity Tour" offered to young visitors. The Diversity Tour, timed to coincide with Black History Month, is an interactive approach to touring the galleries that the young and young-at-heart can enjoy together. The activity is free of charge.

Accredited by the American Association of Museums, the Rockwell Museum of Western Art is located in the center of the Finger Lakes Wine Country of New York Sate and in the heart of Corning's Gaffer District. The Museum is open to the public seven days a week; hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Membership to the Museum includes yearlong free admission.

The Legacy of a Vanishing Race