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The Master of Western
Art at the Autry
I approached Howard Terpning's work with mixed feelings, and
each of his masterpieces caused some intense emotions to surface within me. Too
often have the true Natives  of this nation found themselves abused, especially
in how they are portrayed in American culture. Almost all Western art and film
has profited from and contributed to the gross misrepresentation of a diverse and
dwindling Native American population. I was worried that Tribute to the Plains People might glorify Native American culture
at the expense of either misrepresenting them as “noble savages,” or worse, as
extinct. I’m certain that Terpning has his heart in the right place, and I was definitely
moved by how lifelike and accurate his paintings were. The problem arises when
others who view his work walk away from the gallery with the impression that
the very real, very much still struggling to survive cultures are taken to be
scenes that “have evaporated in time." Terpning doesn’t – and shouldn’t have
to – take it upon himself to educate people about current Native American civil
rights struggles and reservation developments. His work is magnificent and
breathtaking, and concretely establishes Terpning as the greatest artist to
ever take it upon himself to portray the plains people of the West.
He takes great pains to accurately represent the people, the
clothing, the environment, as well as the places they lived and the things they
did. A Howard Terpning painting is a window to the past, a window frosted with
nuanced texture, color, and light distribution. Each one tells a story. Some of
them are heroic, with stoic proud figures, and some of the most moving are
scenes of trail, of pain and surrender – but always underlined by hope. That’s
the most moving thing about his artwork, Howard means it when he says, “I really
truly empathize with these people." He does, and it shows. I was shook up,
seeing some of my ancestors alive again on canvas, proud and recalcitrant. The
gallery at the Autry is definitely worth a look, Terpning’s work is
breathtaking, but there are lots of other events at the Autry too, some of
which focus on promoting awareness about California tribes. For full details
check the Autry’s calendar.
Location/Dates:
The Autry in Griffith Park
May 12, 2012 - July 1, 2012
Autry Members: Free
Adults: $10
Students with current ID and Seniors (60+): $6
Children (3–12): $4
Children under 3: Free
Free with current ID
for active military personnel and veterans, peace officers, and park rangers
Free to the public
on the second Tuesday of every month
And there’s a
showing of the documentary Howard
Terpning Portrait of a Storyteller that’s also worth a look. That’s on Saturday,
Jun 23, 2012, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
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