Two new Native American sculptures flank the MFA's entrance

NOVEMBER 15, 2024

Article excerpt from wbur by Cristela Guerra:

"For more than a century, just one statue has stood outside the Museum of Fine Arts Huntington Avenue entrance.


As of Thursday, there are now three.


Two new sculptures by internationally renowned artist Alan Michelson, a Mohawk member of Six Nations of the Grand River, offer a contemporary and authentic portrayal of what it means to be indigenous in America. The artist chose to highlight two contemporary local cultural stewards: Aquinnah Wampanoag member Julia Marden and Nipmuc descendant Andre StrongBearHeart Gaines, Jr."


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Learning more about the indigenous people who inspired 2 new sculptures outside the Museum of Fine Arts

For more than a century, just one statue has stood outside the Museum of Fine Arts. It's called "Appeal to the Great Spirit" and depicts a Native American man on a horse, arms outstretched, face leaning towards the sky. It was created by renowned American sculptor Cyrus Dallin. But many have criticized it, saying it's disempowering, and perpetuates the myth of indigenous communities as a vanishing race.



Over the last year, the MFA commissioned a response: called The Knowledge Keepers. It's two sculptures of present day indigenous nation members, cultural ambassadors who stand next to the main entrance. We speak with the artist behind the Knowledge Keepers and the two cultural stewards depicted in the sculptures.


This segment aired on November 26, 2024.

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