Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains

"This book traces the evolution of narrative art among Native nations of North America's Great Plains region, from historical hides, muslins, and ledger books to more than 50 contemporary works commissioned by the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI). Illustrating everything from war deeds and ceremonial events to pop culture, the selected artworks are as diverse as the individuals who created them. Plains narrative art took shape through various media such as painted hide tipis, robes, and shirts. In the late 19th century, as trade broadened, artists created scenes of battles and ceremonies on muslin and paper. Some artists filled the pages of ledger books with narrative drawings to record their past and preserve their cultures. Native artists began reviving "ledger art" in the 1970s, creating a vibrant form that takes on contemporary topics, uses a variety of media, and is widely collected. Edited by NMAI curator Emil Her Many Horses (Oglala Lakota), Unbound features historical masterworks by 14 artists and unveils new works from 11 contemporary artists. The book also includes scholarly and personal essays by Her Many Horses, David W. Penney, Michael Paul Jordan, and Lauren Good Day"