American Indian Theme VI
Signed Print

In line with the rest of the prints in this series, American Indian Theme VI utilises various geographical sources of American Indian design. The abstracted patterns and elements are compressed and situated in the centre of the work. As opposed to the polished single figure formations depicted in American Indian Theme IV and American Indian Theme V, the multilayered composition in this work is domineering.

The work’s stylised geometric objects are arranged similar to Lichtenstein’s American Indian Theme II, as an assemblage of historical artefacts. The objects allude to weaponry and quillwork, yet are anything but inanimate. These objects could be interpreted as interacting characters. They are captured in motion, perhaps mid-flight, in an explosion of patterns and colours.

American Indian Theme VI ponders the representation of indigenous artefacts, as well as referencing the visual style of mass produced contemporary printed materials. Lichtenstein’s American Indian Theme seriesconstitutes a distinct part of his enduring project of appropriating prior art as a form of cultural commentary.