Exploding Native Inevitable

Exploding Native Inevitable is an exhibition of the work of twelve contemporary Indigenous artists and two collaboratives, accompanied by a program of dance, film, music, performance, readings, storytelling, and video by Indigenous artists from a land we now call America. Exhibiting artists range from emerging to elders. “They are amazing voices, make compelling art, and have important things to say,” said co-curator Brad Kahlhamer. “The artists build on cultural traditions, push new creative boundaries, and represent some of the extraordinary work being created by Indigenous artists across the land.” 

Kahlhamer and co-curator Dan Mills, who have known each other for more than twenty years, began work on this project in late 2019. “This has been a remarkable multiyear collaboration with Brad Kahlhamer,” Mills said. “Brad is a Native American artist who is respected in contemporary Indigenous circles, and who has exhibited extensively in the United States and abroad. He brings deep knowledge and keen insights to this project.”  

The exhibition title riffs on Andy Warhol’s 1966–67 Exploding Plastic Inevitable, a series of multimedia events—including performances, concerts, and film screenings—that accompanied and extended his exhibition. Likewise, the expansive and adventuresome project that is Exploding Native Inevitable will include a wide-ranging and ongoing series of events and programs. 

Organized by Bates College Museum of Art and curated by Brad Kahlhamer and Dan Mills. Support provided by World Class Partner The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts and further support provided by SMoCA Alliance.