New York, 4 March 2015

The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is to host the exhibition entitled “The Plains Indians : Artists of Earth and Sky” from 9 March to 10 May.

The exhibition is being organized by Musée du quai Branly in Paris in collaboration with The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. It is to present masterpieces made by the Native Americans from the Plains region originating from European and North American collections. The exhibited objects are diverse and varied, ranging from a 2,000-year-old Human Effigy Pipe to 19th-century horse gear, weapons, clothing, and shields, as well as painted dresses dating from the 18th century. Works collected over the centuries by French merchants and travellers will be displayed alongside those acquired by MM. Lewis and Clark during their famous expedition of 1804-1806.

Gaylord Torrence, the curator of the exhibition, said “It is our goal with this exhibition to present the extraordinary vision of Plains Indian artists throughout time to the present… The objects embody both the creative brilliance of their individual makers and the meanings and power of profound cultural traditions.