Let's Find Out About Indians Item Number: 2567/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Book with red cover and title, "Let's Find Out About INDIANS" in silver letters on the front. Inside the book are alternating transparent pages with black and white sketches and glossy paper with photographic images. Signed by the artist on the last page. Edition 2/25.
History Of Use
The drawn images in the book came from an 1962 library book that the artist found at a book sale, called "Let's Find Out About Indians". The artist has 'rewritten' the book by juxtaposing the old images with photographs from her own family albums.
Narrative
The basis of this art book is a 1962 children’s primer that the artist found at a second hand book sale. Seto wrote: "While looking through this text, now an artifact of the elementary school system, I kept thinking of photographs from my own family archives while reading simplistic statements like “The Indians ate cereal every day”, “The Indians had no schools” and “Indians big and little liked to dance”. Taking the text from the book and replacing it’s hokey, old-style ‘Hollywood Indian’ images with my own family photos, I attempted to give a more accurate portrayal of the history, life and complexities of a family of Aboriginal ancestry." The artist also stated: “I consider my re-creation of this 1962 book my own personal contribution towards dispelling negative stereotyping…I plan to continue to use my art to educate, expose and explore issues of cultural identity."
Item History
- Made by Alexis Macdonald Seto (Maker) in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada during 2001
- Owned by Alexis Macdonald Seto before December 3, 2002
- Received from Alexis Macdonald Seto (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source) on December 3, 2002
What
Who
- Culture
- Metis
- Creator
- Alexis Macdonald Seto (Maker)
- Previous Owner
- Alexis Macdonald Seto
- Received from
- Alexis Macdonald Seto (Seller) and Museum of Anthropology Acquisitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
When
- Creation Date
- during 2001
- Ownership Date
- before December 3, 2002
- Acquisition Date
- on December 3, 2002
Other
- Item Classes
- works on paper
- Condition
- excellent
- Current Location
- Case 44
- Accession Number
- 2567/0001