CRAFT’s graphic designer Katie Wilson wrote about Brian Jungen‘s show, Strange Comfort, at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. (through August 8, 2010):

Native American artist Brian Jungen (Dunne-za) creates perceived icons of Indian culture from commonplace utilitarian objects — an igloo from trash cans, a whale skeleton from plastic chairs, an animal mobile from suitcases. Frequently, his materials are selected for their power to comment: “Much of Jungen’s work is created out of sports paraphernalia — a suit of armor made of catcher mitts, a skull crafted from baseball skins, blankets woven from jerseys, and totem poles of stacked golf bags. It’s a deliberate choice, Jungen says, to make art from materials belonging to an industry that has claimed names such as The Chiefs, Indians, Redskins and Braves.”

More:

• Jurassic-looking works made from plastic chairs
• Nike shoes as art