Branding the American West Paintings and Films, 1900-1950

October 29, 2016 - February 5, 2017 - The exhibition includes celebrated artists such as Frederic Remington and N.C. Wyeth and features members of the New Mexican Taos Society of Artists and California-based artist Maynard Dixon.

Focused on the first half of the 20th century, the 90 pieces in the exhibition reveal the multiple and changing brands of the American West during a complicated time of modernization, war, and racial unrest. It was a time of great change for cowboys, for Native Americans, for the land itself and it's all captured here in that magical sense of light for which the region is famous.

For perspective, the paintings and sculptures are juxtaposed with film clips of how the West was branded by Hollywood. That narrow view of the West as a land of violence and action contrasts sharply with dignified images of Native Americans and spectacular natural beauty. To find the middle ground between the pop culture mythology of the Wild West and the rich history of the American Southwest, we suggest starting with a visit to this exhibition.