Zimmerli Art Museum Honors the Life and Legacy of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith
New Brunswick, NJ (January 28, 2025)—It is with deep sadness and profound respect that the Zimmerli acknowledges the passing of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (b. 1940, citizen of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation), a visionary artist, educator, and activist whose life’s work transcended boundaries and bridged cultures. Her extraordinary contributions to contemporary art and her tireless advocacy for Indigenous voices have left an indelible mark on the art world and beyond.
Over the past three years, the Zimmerli has had the privilege of collaborating with Smith on her curation of Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always, which opens at the museum this Saturday. Featuring the work of 97 artists representing 74 Indigenous nations and communities across the United States, the exhibition marks Smith’s most ambitious curatorial undertaking and reflects the expansive community of Native artists that Smith convened and uplifted throughout her more than six-decade-long career. Paired with a focused presentation of Smith’s own work from the Zimmerli’s collection, these two exhibitions are a testament to Smith’s groundbreaking and impactful artistic and curatorial practices, interrogating the complexities of Indigenous identity through wit and provocation.
States Maura Reilly, Director of the Zimmerli Art Museum, “Jaune’s legacy is immeasurable. She was a trailblazer who ceaselessly endeavored to challenge assumptions around Indigenous identity and contemporary Native American art. She championed justice, amplified Indigenous narratives, and inspired countless individuals to use their voices and creativity to enact change. Many of those voices are on display in Indigenous Identities. Jaune and I first discussed the possibility of collaborating on a project like this over a decade ago. It has been an honor of a lifetime to make space for her to realize her vision at the Zimmerli.”
The Zimmerli offers its heartfelt condolences to Smith’s family, friends, and the many communities she inspired. We join the world in mourning the loss of an extraordinary artist and visionary.
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