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. Denver Art Museum: Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan, 2013.73A-G. © Jeffrey Gibson. 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

This object is currently on view

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.”
 

Created by the artist, 2013; Purchased by Vicki and Kent Logan from the artist, 2013; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2013.

• "Jeffrey Gibson: Said the Pigeon to the Squirrel," National Academy Museum, New York, NY, 5/23/2013-9/8/2013
• “Jeffrey Gibson: Like A Hammer” — Denver Art Museum, 5/13/2018 – 8/12/2018
• "Jeffrey Gibson: Like a Hammer," Denver Art Museum, May 13, 2018-August 12, 2018
• Mississippi Museum of Art, Jackson, Mississippi, September 8, 2018-January 27, 2019
• Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, Washington, February 28,- May 12, 2019
• Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, Wisconsin, June 8- September 15, 2019
• “FY24 MCA Rotation” — Denver Art Museum, 5/27/2024