THE ROLE OF CONTEXT IN THE CONSERVATION OF CONTEMPORARY AMERICAN INDIAN CERAMICS

Abstract

The opening of Denver Art Museum's addition, designed by Daniel Libeskind, in the fall of 2006 will be accompanied by a special exhibition to showcase innovative late twentieth-century American Indian art of the American Southwest. Preparing contemporary Pueblo ceramics for exhibition allowed the museum's conservators to re-examine historical assumptions about treating American Indian pottery. As with other works of contemporary art, active discussions with living artists are fundamental to understanding issues of both context and care. The evolving contexts in which Pueblo artists experiment with materials and manipulate processes dictate how pieces are displayed and conserved at the Denver Art Museum. This paper, representing collaboration between curators, conservators and Indian artists, presents research methodology, documentation and findings. Laboratory examination and research further confirm results and aid in treatment plans. The information presented has larger applications to all museums with contemporary American Indian ceramics in their collections.