The rear exterior of the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana. Courtesy Zach Malmgren.
Johanna M. Blume
Curator of Western Art, History and Culture
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
Indianapolis, IN, (317) 636-9378
www.eiteljorg.org
What event (gallery show, museum exhibit, etc.) in the next few months are you looking forward to, and why?
I’m not really doing much traveling these days, but I’ve been so impressed with how many museums have responded to the pandemic by increasing their virtual offerings. In particular, I’m excited to see what our peer institutions, with shows similar to our Quest for the West Art Show and Sale, do with their virtual or hybrid virtual/in-person shows. It’s been a really difficult year for museums and galleries, but
I hope one thing we’ve learned is how technology helps increase accessibility.
What are you reading?
I’m digging into Seeing Nature Through Gender, edited by Virginia J. Scharff, right now. This past year has actually given me a little more time for research and reading, so I’m taking the opportunity to catch up on literature that might help me better interpret the works in our collection.
Interesting exhibit, gallery opening or work of art you’ve seen recently.
We just opened a new exhibit at the Eiteljorg, Hard Twist: Western Ranch Women — Photographs by Barbara Van Cleve. The exhibit contains 62 black-and-white photographs, many printed in a large format, and is on loan to us from the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas. Van Cleve’s work is a fascinating window into one facet of Western womanhood.
What are you researching at the moment?
Right now, I’m researching the artist Alfred Jacob Miller, his patron Sir William Drummond Stewart, and the pieces in our collection by Miller. The relationship between patron and artist is fascinating to me. Stewart’s influence on Miller’s work is a rich subject to explore.
What is your dream exhibit to curate? Or see someone else curate?
Funnily enough, the last time I was interviewed for this section, I said my dream exhibit was one exploring women’s experiences in the West through quilts. I actually got to put that show together this past year at the Eiteljorg, and it just closed in January. I’ll have to find a new dream exhibit now.—
Powered by Froala Editor
