Ringling’s ‘Reclaiming Home’ showcases Native American art

An exhibition coming to the Ringling Museum in Sarasota,”Restoring the Home: Contemporary Seminole Art‘, works by Seminole and Miccosuke artists of mixed heritage from Florida and the Seminole diaspora.

The Seminoles were one of five southeastern states forcibly removed in the 19th century to present-day Oklahoma and beyond as part of the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

With over 100 artworks by 12 artists, the range of media includes painting, photography, woodworking, textiles, beadwork, and installation art.

In addition, the gallery also includes works on loan from Florida Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum of Seminole culture and history, located on the Big Cypress Indian Reservation.

WUSF’s Cathy Carter recently spoke about the show with Ola Wlusek, curator at the Ringling Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art.

Ola, what can viewers expect when they visit this show?

One really important thing to understand is that this is a gallery of contemporary indigenous art. So, for example, what will not be in the exhibition are artifacts or archaeological finds. It is not a history fair. I really started working on this show by looking at some of the living Seminole and Miccosukee artists in the area working today, some of whom were very welcoming and I had the opportunity to visit their homes, visit their studios, and start these conversations. It was really important for me to understand who…