Lets take a moment to consider what the term Indigenous American means. When people migrate into a foreign area and survive for several thousand years, they are then what Anthropologist refer to as “Indigenous”or the indigenous peoples of that region. In the case of North, Middle and South America, all of the inhabitants of these two continents are from some other part of the world. It is fairly certain that no “Cradle of Civilization” existed on American soil.

The exact truth as to when, how and where the various groups arrived is of course still being debated. There are many points of view and theories abound! As I have stated here in past post, the library is the best place to find answers to your questions , no matter what they might be. Always consider the “Authority” of the author, learn to respect the works of advanced degree scholars from creditable institutions. Also in contrast to this, Folklorist sometimes do write interesting readings based on local tales and legends. So keep an open mind and do read somethings for your own personal pleasure!

Many indigenous American artist sought to create strong psychological effects with their art, it is indeed a universal theme. The elements of the human face become abstracted, quite often several faces are combined to form a graphic composition. The irregular surface of the unfinished stone to some extent dictated how the design would be placed. The facial elements were distributed according to the surface contour of the particular plate.

In the works of Pablo Picasso, the artist creates or recreates his compositions using the same primise, the facial elements are distributed in what are unusual arrangements. In some compositions more than one face are combined. We will note here that Picasso's works were created on carefully prepared “flat” surfaces. He obviously choose to abstract his compositions for the psychological effect that could be created in this manner.

I often refer to the Collection of Indigenous American Art as pre-modern. While the American Indian Nations lived in simple primitive surroundings, their minds conceived of many of the evolved concepts that would become modern and post-modern art.

Before I begin this post, please let me welcome you to the CIAA blog. My name is Larry McCarty I am Your host. At this time the Earthquake in Japan and the chaos that it has caused is disturbing to us all as a World Community. The Japanese people are in great need of our help. It is our opportunity to be of service to our friend. Every individual can contribute to this act of goodwill, by remembering this nation in our thoughts, prayers, and meditations.

I would like to explain in this writing that my focus is oriented toward the images as an art form. While I would like to know more about the people that created this art, when they lived, their customs and beliefs, my work is the attempt to reprint the the stone plate as clearly as possible. The pictorial image is in it's self an important part of the puzzle of who, where, and when. I believe that if my job is done properly the images will speak well for themselves and that the attention of all that view will follow.

Once again, I would point out that I try to post several prints a week. This is to give you the opportunity to see more of the work. Some of the examples are damaged or worn. I should also note that many are very old. One of the things that I have learned from these rocks, is that there is truth in the adage, “Written in stone”, What is scribed in stone endures.

Do You like to collect things? Many people, especially those who are interested in art are avid collectors. Their homes are packed with objects and materials saved for some usually undetermined purpose! While there are those that criticize this activity, any logical person knows that museums are filled with articles that some thoughtful person saved or “horded” if you prefer.

Several decades ago I sat on a beautiful fall afternoon with a friend who stored everything in his shop building. On a workbench was a stack of freshly cut plank boards, pieces 18 by 24 inches someone had left them there he said, and then added “ Wouldn't those make fine woodcuts”! We talked for several hours, discussing many topics, always returning to the stack of lumber. It seemed to me that our conversation had grown from the opportunity that the planks represented.

Art gallery s and museums are wonderful places to visit with a friend. The exhibitions and archives furnish the substance for quiet conversation.

I have been reminded in the last few weeks how easy that it is to loose track of your work and that quite often we do not even recognize our own work when we see it! I have been busy and it has been a cold winter. I have been learning to operate a computer as an art tool and I might add that I am astounded at how much art can be created in just a few days. The output of digital art programs lies in the fact that any good art work can become a continuous evolution of many finished states. Many separate works are the result. Once the images are stored we forget that many of them exist at all.

I have also experienced this same reality in my work on the indigenous art collection. When I look back at the prints that were created a few weeks ago it takes awhile for me to recognize many of the prints. I have to restudy the image and reacquaint myself with the particular piece. So, if you have trouble with some of these images, I admit, so do I!

By all means these prints are an age old teaching and learning tool. It does help to print them out and place the copies in view where you can study them and enjoy the art treasure that they are. Should you draw in that missing eye? Well, its your work, I don't see why not!

Contact Larry McCarty...

lmccarty.fa@gmail.com

870-639-3307