Continuing with its theme of Honoring Women, the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is preparing a new exhibition that will explore the work of visionary women artists who shaped and changed the ways people think about contemporary art.

Powerful Women: Contemporary Art from the Eiteljorg Collection will highlight women artists, especially Native American artists, and works they created that speak to issues of personal identity, political agency, memory and violence against women.

The Eiteljorg is home to one of the world’s most important collections of contemporary Native art, and the first phase of Powerful Women highlights exceptional works from that collection. Riveting artworks include sculpture by Anita Fields (Osage), work on paper by Kay WalkingStick (Cherokee Nation), a mixed media installation by Bonnie Devine (Ojibwa), textile art by Marie K. Watt (Seneca), stills from video by Skawennati (Mohawk), as well as important works by other women artists. An installation by Luzene Hill (Eastern Band of Cherokee), Retracing the Trace, reflects on issues of rape and sexual violence against women.

“Matriarchs have quietly lead the world for generations. During this year of honoring women, we celebrate the determination, perseverance, and creativity that defines women, including this accomplished group of contemporary artists,” Eiteljorg Vice President and Chief Curatorial Officer Elisa Phelps said. “They are indeed ‘powerful women.’”

The first rotation of Powerful Women will take place from Sept. 19 to March 21 in the museum’s Hurt and Harvey galleries, and will feature works by Native American women contemporary artists. Then, a second rotation of Powerful Women will be on exhibit from April 18 to Oct. 23, 2021, and also will feature works by African American, Latino, Asian American and European American women contemporary artists.

Many of the pieces in the exhibition were purchased or gifted to the museum through the Eiteljorg Contemporary Art Fellowship. More information about the Fellowship artists and their art is found at https://contemporaryartfellowship.eiteljorg.org/.

Powerful Women: Contemporary Art from the Eiteljorg Collection is part of the museum’s theme for 2020-2021, Honoring Women, that celebrates the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage through exhibitions, public programs and online content. Honoring Women is sponsored by the Margot L. Eccles Arts & Culture Fund (a CICF Fund), Capital Group, Chase Private Client, Ice Miller LLP, Citizens Energy Group, the Indiana Arts Commission and the Art Council of Indianapolis. Other current or upcoming exhibitions in the Honoring Women theme are Quilts: Uncovering Women’s Stories, open now through Jan. 3, 2021, the prints of Gene Kloss, open through June 2021, and Hard Twist: Western Ranch Women – Photographs by Barbara Van Cleve, which will be open from Jan. 30 to April 25, 2021.

For the latest updates on the museum as well as museum-related content, visit www.eiteljorg.org or follow the Eiteljorg on social media. The Eiteljorg Museum is currently open, with face mask and social distancing requirements due to local and state public health rules.