The recent announcement of Phoenix Art Museum's largest-ever gift of Native American art is a significant moment in the world of art and culture. This collection, comprising 185 artworks from 99 Native American artists and 44 tribes, is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Indigenous communities over the past century. But what makes this gift truly remarkable is the story behind it, and the vision of the man who made it possible: real estate developer and Western American art collector William Healey.
Healey's interest in Native American art began with a desire to understand the 'story of the American Indian from their perspective.' This perspective, as artist Tony Abeyta explains, is one that has always been present in Native American art, even if it was not always recognized or appreciated by the mainstream. Abeyta, a longtime friend of Healey, helped him form a collection that captured this story, including the violent legacy of Native American forced-assimilation boarding schools.
The collection is a powerful reminder of the 'survivance' of Native American communities, a term popularized by Anishinaabe scholar Gerald Vizenor to describe the 'survival' and 'resistance' that Indigenous peoples embody. As Abeyta notes, Native American art has always been a vital part of the American story, and this collection is a celebration of that fact.
The exhibition, 'The Way We Came: A Century of Indigenous Art The William P. Healey Collection at Phoenix Art Museum,' will showcase a selection of these artworks in August. Co-curated by Abeyta and Phoenix Art Museum curator JoAnna Reyes, the show will highlight the diversity and richness of Native American art, and the important role it has played in shaping the American narrative.
But this gift is not the first of its kind. In 2023, Healey contributed 100 works of Native American studio art to the Saint Louis Art Museum, further solidifying his commitment to preserving and sharing the stories of Indigenous communities. His generosity and vision are a reminder of the power of art to connect us to our past, and to inspire us to create a better future.
In my opinion, this gift is a significant moment in the history of art and culture, and a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving and sharing the stories of Indigenous communities. It is a testament to the resilience and creativity of Native American artists, and a celebration of the vital role that art plays in shaping our understanding of the past and the future.
