Why We Dance

American Indian Art in Motion

Dan Namingha (Tewa/Hopi, born 1950), Hopi Eagle Dancer, 1995. Acrylic paint on canvas. 47 ¾ x 47 ¾ in. Denver Art Museum: Gift of Virginia Vogel Mattern, 2003.1296. © Dan Namingha.

Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914–1994), Apache Crown Dance, 1952. Casein paint on paper. Gift of Margaret Davis and Cornelia and Josephine Evans, 1953.420. © Estate of Allan Houser.

Isabel John (Navajo, 1933–2004), Rug, 1981. Wool and dye. The Gloria F. Ross Collection of Contemporary Weaving of the Denver Art Museum, 1982.8. © Estate of Isabel John.

Hopi artist, Eagle Social Dancer (Kwaahu), about 1920. Wood, paint, cloth, and wire. Anonymous gift in honor of Julia Johnson, 1948.343

Sioux artist, Breastplate, about 1935. Porcupine quill, hide, tin cone, and feathers. The L. D. and Ruth Bax Collection, 1985.114

Osage artist, Fan, 1940. Feathers, glass beads, leather, fur, and cord. Native Arts acquisition fund, 1949.86

Gallery view of Why We Dance, including large-scale projections of footage from Friendship Powwow and American Indian Cultural Celebrations held annually at the DAM.

Local exhibition support is provided by the Osage Nation Foundation.