Art Speaks: Jim Denomie

Jim Denomie reflects on his painting "Off the Reservation (or Minnesota Nice)," which was included in the Art Speaks exhibition at the Minnesota History Center, February 26–July 31, 2022.

Denomie, Jim (1955–2022)

Jim Denomie, one of Minnesota’s most significant and beloved visual artists, is best known for his large-scale narrative paintings. He used irony and humor to depict the political realities Native Americans face, including brutality and abuse, as well as his personal visions of eroticism, joy, grief, and spirituality. Denomie’s style is distinct and inimitable, especially in its use of color.

Ojibwe people at their home, near Tower

Ojibwe people at their home, near Tower

Ojibwe people at their home, near Tower, ca. 1930.

Ojibwe family in a canoe on Lake Vermilion

Ojibwe family in a canoe on Lake Vermilion

Ojibwe family in a canoe on Lake Vermilion (Onamuni Zaaga’iganiin, the lake with the sunset glow), ca. 1905.

Ojibwe family making a canoe, Ely

Ojibwe family making a canoe, Ely

An Ojibwe family make a birchbark canoe in Ely, ca. 1890–1910.

Beaded book cover

Beaded book cover

Beaded book cover made at Birch Coulee before 1936.

Dakota embroidered miniature moccasins

Dakota embroidered miniature moccasins

Miniature embroidered moccasins made at Birch Coulee and given to Evangeline Whipple by Julia Walker Lawrence in October of 1908.

Lacemaking at Birch Coulee, 1893–1926

The lace-making school that operated at Birch Coulee at the turn of the twentieth century is an important part of the history of the Lower Sioux Indian Community. Although the school was an extension of the assimilation efforts directed towards Dakota people in the late 1800s, the Birch Coulee lace-makers used the project to support their community, and to continue a long tradition of communal artmaking among Dakota women.

Alternate color version of the Minnesota state seal

Alternate color version of the Minnesota state seal

Alternate color version of the Minnesota state seal, before 1971 and ca. 1960s.

Color version of the Minnesota state seal, 2018

Color version of the Minnesota state seal, 2018

Four-color version of the Great Seal of Minnesota, 2018. From the Minnesota State Brand Style Guide, 2018.

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