Freedom
David Bradley, Rio Grande Casino Landscape, 2000, acrylic on canvas, 36 x 36 in. Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2020.72. Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
David Bradley
Rio Grande Casino Landscape
- What is the relationship between landscape and identity? Whose identities might be depicted in this artwork?
In this panoramic landscape, tourists speed by a large casino, a 7-11, and a McDonald’s – all constructed in Santa Fe’s characteristic adobe architectural style. Although originally from Minnesota, Chippewa artist David Bradley’s work foreground’s the tourist industry’s commercialization of Santa Fe and places attention on how non-Native culture affects the city’s Native people and landscape. The result is a painting that balances stereotype with lived experience to create a biting critique.
- How does globalization impact Indigenous people and Native landscapes? What do you know about the Indigenous groups that lived in your area?
- When does cultural admiration becomes cultural appropriation? Can you see examples of either in this painting?
Content Contributors
Exhibition sponsored by Kenneth C. Griffin
Learning and engagement programming for
We the People: The Radical Notion of Democracy is sponsored by:
Sarah and Ross Perot, Jr. Foundation | Mitchell, Williams, Selig, Gates, & Woodyard, P.L.L.C. | Johnny and Jeanie Morris, Bass Pro Shops | Alturas Foundation | Harriet and Warren Stephens, Stephens Inc. | Sotheby’s | Bob and Becky Alexander | Marybeth and Micky Mayfield | Lamar and Shari Steiger | Jeff and Sarah Teague / Citizens Bank | Arkansas Humanities Council and the National Endowment for the Humanities | Avis and Bill Bailey | Scarlett and Neff Basore | June Carter Family | Terri and Chuck Erwin | Jackye and Curtis Finch | The Harrison and Rhonda French Family | Jim and Susan von Gremp | Laurice Hachem | Shannon and Charles Holley | Valorie and Randy Lawson / Lawco Energy Group | Donna and Mack McLarty | Steve and Susan Nelson | Neal and Gina Pendergraft | Helen Porter | JT and Imelda Rose | Lee and Linda Scott | Stella Boyle Smith Trust, Catherine and Michael Mayton, Trustees | William Reese Company
600 Museum Way,
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 418-5700
Sat - Mon | Wed
10am — 5pm
Thu | Fri
10am — 8pm
Tue
Closed
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Crystal Bridges trails and grounds open daily from sunrise to sunset.
507 SE E St,
Bentonville, AR 72712
(479) 367-7500
Tue — Thu | Sun
10am — 6pm
Friday | Sat
11am — 8pm
Mon
Closed
Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.