Jeffrey Gibson (Mississippi Band Choctaw/Cherokee), Freedom, 2013. Repurposed tipi poles, rawhide lacing, artificial sinew, buffalo hide, acrylic paint, wool, glass and plastic beads, sterling silver, turquoise, and quartz; 21 x 9 1/2 x 5 1/2 ft. Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum.  Image courtesy of Jeffrey Gibson Studio and Marc Straus Gallery, New York. Photograph by Glenn Castellano

length,large: 21 ft, 6.4008 m; height,large: 9.5 ft, 2.8956 m; width,large: 5.5 ft, 1.6764 m; length,large: 23 ft, 7.0104 m; width: 48 in, 121.9200 cm; depth: 32 in, 81.2800 cm; height: 23 in, 58.4200 cm; height,large: 7.5 ft, 2.2860 m

Native Arts

Indigenous Arts of North America

Gibson uses a structure called a travois, formed of tipi poles and used to transport goods, as inspiration for this sculpture. The brightly painted panels of the trunk refer to native beadwork and ribbonwork as well as to geometric abstract art.

“Having grown up moving around my whole life provided personal experiences that have caused me to identify as somewhat nomadic . . . always questioning what ‘home’ is defined by. I have become comfortable moving and have found great freedom in that ability.”
 

purchased by Vicki and Kent Logan from the artist , 2013; gifted to Denver Art Museum 2013

• "Said the Pigeon to the Squirrel"—National Academy Museum, NYC, 5/23/2013 - 9/8/2013
• “Jeffrey Gibson: Like A Hammer” — Denver Art Museum, 5/13/2018 – 8/12/2018