Leon Polk Smith: Hiding in Plain Sight

February 5, 2021 – July 3, 2021

Leon Polk Smith, one of the most significant American artists of the 20th century, has been studied and celebrated through major exhibitions, publications, and scholarship over many years—and yet, a significant source of inspiration and influence on his artistic production remains largely unexplored.

This original exhibition takes visitors on a visual journey that starts in Oklahoma Territory, where Smith was born and raised surrounded by Indigenous people and culture, to New York City where he would become a founding icon of mid-century modern art.

black and white photo of Leon Polk Smith standing with hands in pockets and feet spread slightly apart staring intently into the camera in front of a geometric painting on the wall and another on the floor.

Leon Polk Smith in his studio at Union Square, New York, n.d. Photograph courtesy of the Leon Polk Smith Foundation.

geometric painting of partial red circle bordered by a strong black line angled like clock hands at approximately 2.35

“Lobster Red” 1984, acrylic on canvas with wood, 89 x 49½ inches. Brooklyn Museum, Bequest of Leon Polk Smith.

3 oval canvases in a circle with bands of black, red and tan and a center band on each of bright green

“Constellation Happy Day” 1971, acrylic on canvas. Overall dimensions: 80½ x 77 x 1 inches. Three panels, each measuring 42 x 77½ x inches. Leon Polk Smith Foundation. Photograph courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

multiple painted round edged rectangular panels sectioned together to show a portion of a circle in bright yellow bordered by a dark purple

“Constellation Yellow-Blue-Violet” 1972, acrylic on canvas, 77 x 47¼ x 1 inches. Leon Polk Smith Foundation. Photograph courtesy of Lisson Gallery.

Curated by Joe Baker (Delaware) and Diana Pardue, Hiding in Plain Sight pairs outstanding examples of late 19th and early 20th-century works of Indigenous art from Oklahoma Territory, including beadwork, hide painting, and ribbon applique, with Smith’s paintings. Featuring more than 40 works spanning seven decades of his legendary career, highlights include masterworks from his Constellation series. In the words of Leon Polk Smith, “I grew up in the Southwest, where the colors in nature were pure and rampant, and where my Indian neighbors and relatives used color to vibrate and shock.”

Cradleboard from the Kiowa tribe, circa, 1890, with beadwork over leather and wooden flat boards on back

Unidentified Artist, Kiowa, Lattice Cradle, c. 1890. Glass beads, thread, milled lumber, tanned deerskin, fabric, brass beads and tacks, 46 x 14 x 10 inches. Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, Heard Museum.

painted hide shield from the Comanche tribe, circa 1880 with a yellow border, blue center and black and red radiating stripes from center to bottom edge.

Unidentified Artist, Comanche, Shield and Cover, c. 1880. Hide, cloth, color pigments, eagle feathers,horsehair, 18 inch diameter x 42½ inches long. Fred Harvey Fine Arts Collection, Heard Museum.

Bandoliere bag from the Delaware tribe, circa 1850s, with pink and blue beads over hide showing simple flower shapes

Unidentified Artist, Delaware, Bandolier Bag, 1850s. Glass beads, wool, fabric, 25¾ x 20¼ inches. Collection of Arthur W. Erickson, Inc.

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