New ‘Radical Stitch’ bead art exhibit at Eiteljorg INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is gearing up to unveil the largest contemporary Native American bead art exhibition, Radical Stitch. The only stop in the United States is here in the Circl e City. The Radical Stitch exhibit showcases about 100 stunning pieces of Native bead art from talented artists across the U.S. and Canada. It will be open to the public Saturday and run through Aug. 3. “Beadwork is something I’ve always been around, and it’s a continuance of generational acts of care and love within my practice,” said Audi Murray, a visual artist. “But here, these works that we see in Radical Stitch are more humor-based, but layered in deeper messaging.” First Nations, Inuit, and Metis artists have used beads to help tell stories about their loved ones and express beauty. Native artists believe that techniques and wisdom are passed down and view beads as a way for ancestors to envelop their loved ones in prayers. Many Indigenous people are now turning to beadwork to reconnect with their culture. Some artists have engaged in archival projects, drawing inspiration from their resilience during and after COVID-19. “These works here, I was interested in that idea of archivalness and wanted to create something ephemeral that would eventually decay,” Murray said. “I think time is very much a big material in these works. I hope visitors can see them again in 50 or 60 years, and see how they’ve shifted.” The exhibit features various works, including wearable art and portraits. “It brings me joy and started with a love for materials,” said Nico Williams, a contemporary visual artist. “When you’re in front of beads before they go onto the string, they have beautiful finishes in glass. They’re shiny and add sparkle. Then, I started questioning how to make this into an Amazon bag, an IKEA bag, or even an Amazon box.” These artists use sewing to create new meanings and redefine representation through humor, personal testimony, and reflection. The Radical Stitch exhibit will be open in Indianapolis until Aug. 3. “People have emotional connections to the land: Some have worked about their relatives that they have now, and some are just a response to the ancestors,” Williams said. “So, I think this exhibition encompasses it all.” WISHTV.com first reported on this exhibition on March 25. Admission to the museum is free to visitors who are enrolled members of Native American tribes and have tribal identification, and to all Indiana college, university and trade school students who have their school IDs. General admission tickets are $12 for ages 5-17, $16 for age 65 and older, and $20 for all other adults. An underground garage provides free parking. Sponsors include Avis Foundation, Capital Group, the Braitman Family, the Frenzel Family Foundation, and the Ann W. King Fund, with additional support from the Native Arts + Cultures Foundation and the Consulate General of Canada in Detroit, are sponsoring the exhibition. Support also comes from the Canada Council for the Arts. (Provided Photo/Eiteljorg Museum) (Provided Photo/Eiteljorg Museum) (Provided Photo/Eiteljorg Museum) ...read more read less