Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, born in 1940 on the Flathead Indian Reservation in Montana, has emerged as one of the most respected modern Native American artists. With her heritage deeply rooted in the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation, Smith employs a dynamic fusion of abstract and representational forms to explore themes of indigenous identity, resilience, and commentary on socio-political issues affecting Native American communities and the broader society. Her work is a striking amalgamation of painting, printmaking, and mixed media, often utilizing a vibrant color palette and integrating symbols, texts, and images that cross both cultural and artistic boundaries. Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s works have been featured in numerous prestigious institutions, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, providing a vital voice for Indigenous narratives and perspectives within the global discourse on art, identity, and politics.
