1980 to now

It's never been harder to define "art" than it is today, but one thing is certain — artists are always having a conversation with the time they live in.

videos + essays

Over the next two years, Seeing America will grow to include 100 videos, 18 essays, quizzes, discussion questions and lesson plans.

The Chief Johnson Totem Pole
The Chief Johnson Totem Pole

Learn about the story of Fog Woman and Raven and the generations of this totem pole from the Tlingit

Amy Sherald, <em>Precious Jewels by the Sea</em>
Amy Sherald, Precious Jewels by the Sea

This monumental painting of Black people at the beach speaks to a dearth of Black figures in the art history canon

Marilyn Spoon, <em>Bandolier Bag</em>
Marilyn Spoon, Bandolier Bag

This bandolier bag is the first of its kind from the Sac and Fox tribe in more than 20 years

Richard Zane Smith, <em>Wyandotte Feast Pot</em>
Richard Zane Smith, Wyandotte Feast Pot

Smith uses historic Wyandotte forms to create this contemporary pot, bringing his Indigenous traditions into the present and future

Kerry James Marshall, <em>Our Town</em>
Kerry James Marshall, Our Town

The American Dream is not what it seems in this artwork that combines painting and collage

Shan Goshorn, <em>Sealed Fate: Treaty of New Echota Protest Basket</em>
Shan Goshorn, Sealed Fate: Treaty of New Echota Protest Basket

Goshorn weaves stories about forced removal from homelands and protest in this basket made of printed archival documents

Ruthe Blalock Jones, <em>Medicine Woman</em>
Ruthe Blalock Jones, Medicine Woman

Bright red fringe, a pheasant and macaw feather fan, trade blankets—these meticulous details shine in this painting of a member of the Native American Church.

Richard Mayhew, <em>Indigenous Spiritual Space</em>
Richard Mayhew, Indigenous Spiritual Space

Explosions of color signify a landscape, real or imagined

Michelle Browder, <i>Mothers of Gynecology</i>
Michelle Browder, Mothers of Gynecology

This memorial honors three women who were victims of medical experimentation by the "father of gynecology"

Dorica Jackson, <em>Diving Whale Chilkat Robe</em>
Dorica Jackson, Diving Whale Chilkat Robe

Dorica Jackson spent 16 years weaving this robe with an abstract whale design and fringe that would animate the movements of a dancer

The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Equal Justice Initiative)
The National Memorial for Peace and Justice (Equal Justice Initiative)

The first monument to commemorate the over 4,000 African Americans who were lynched in the early 20th century.

Kehinde Wiley, <i>Rumors of War</i>
Kehinde Wiley, Rumors of War

A monumental solution, rethinking the sculpture of Richmond