ROY LICHTENSTEIN, AMERICAN INDIAN THEME VI, AMERICAN INDIAN THEME SERIES, SIGNED WOODCUT ON HANDMADE SUZUKI PAPER, EDITION OF 50, 1980
Roy Lichtenstein’s American Indian Theme VI of his American Indian Theme series aims to first and foremost examine the symbols and myths surrounding Native American art and heritage.
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 series constitutes a distinct part of his enduring project of appropriating prior art as a form of cultural commentary.
Find out more about American Indian Theme series by Roy Lichtenstein.
ABOUT ROY LICHTENSTEIN
Born in Manhattan in 1923, Roy Lichtenstein was a leading figure in the Pop Art movement during the second half of the 20th century. His distinctive artistic style is inspired by the visual language of consumerism and advertising that pervaded American popular culture at the time, and his work recalls a society of widespread commercialism that has remained powerfully relevant to this day. Learn more about Roy Lichtenstein.
