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DURHAM, NC – Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University presents Power, Presence, and Future: American Indian Pop Art in Action, a new exhibition that challenges centuries of misrepresentation by showcasing the fierce creativity of American Indian artists today.
Indigenous Peoples in the United States—American Indians, Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian), and Alaskan Natives—have long been confined to stereotypes and a mythic past, but Power, Presence, and Future turns that narrative on its head. Drawing inspiration from the bold color, irony, and cultural critique of Pop Art, the show’s featured artists reclaim their image, identity, and voice. Their work creates space for Indigenous agency, authorship, and aesthetic power, challenging what Pop Art can do and what viewers are conditioned to see.
Featured artists include Tom Farris and Nico Williams, who dismantle “Rich Indian” stereotypes; Susan Folwell, who reimagines superheroes through an Indigenous lens; and Jeffrey Gibson, Cara Romero, and Virgil Ortiz, who push the boundaries of time and tradition with stunning visions of Indigenous futurism. Wendy Red Star and Edgar Heap of Birds also have works on view, exposing cultural appropriation and colonial imagery with unflinching force.
The result is a vibrant, genre-defying showcase of contemporary Indigeneity—joyful, defiant, and rooted in presence and possibility.
Power, Presence, and Future: American Indian Pop Art in Action is on view at the Nasher from August 9, 2025, through January 4, 2026. The show is organized by Courtney Lewis, Ph.D., Crandall Family Associate Professor, Department of Cultural Anthropology and Inaugural Director, The RISE-US: Research for Indigenous Studies & Engagement in the United States program, Duke University. The installation is featured in The Year of American Indian Pop Culture, which includes a series of programs from July 2025 through April 2026.
This exhibition is made possible by the J. Horst & Ruth Mary Meyer Fund.
Power, Presence, and Future is part of a dynamic lineup of events celebrating the Nasher’s 20th anniversary. In just two decades, the museum has evolved into a cultural force—presenting internationally recognized exhibitions, championing underrepresented artists, and energizing the Durham community through immersive programming. For more information on the 20th anniversary celebration, visit the museum’s website.
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About the Nasher Museum of Art
The Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University is a leading center for the arts in Durham, North Carolina, and a vital resource for both the Duke campus and the surrounding region. Designed by acclaimed architect Rafael Viñoly, the 65,000-square-foot museum has organized more than 125 cutting-edge exhibitions since its opening in 2005, many of which have traveled nationally and internationally. With a strong commitment to contemporary art, the Nasher’s collection emphasizes work by artists who have been historically underrepresented, reflecting its mission to shape a more inclusive art historical narrative. Deeply integrated into Duke’s academic life, the museum fosters interdisciplinary research, supports innovative teaching, and engages students and faculty in critical dialogue. The Nasher also welcomes broader audiences through vibrant community and K–12 programs, and has offered free admission to all visitors since 2022, thanks to the generosity of Jennifer McCracken New and Jason New. To date, more than 1.6 million people have experienced the museum’s exhibitions and programs. Guests can enjoy local fare at the Nasher Museum Café and shop art-inspired gifts at Parker & Otis. Learn more at nasher.duke.edu.