Jimmie Durham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmie Durham
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Durham in 2012
|
|
| Born |
Jimmie Bob Durham
July 10, 1940 Houston, Texas, US
|
| Died | November 17, 2021 (aged 81) |
| Nationality | American |
| Education | École des Beaux-Arts, Switzerland |
| Known for | Sculpture, poetry, installation art |
| Style | Postmodernism |
Jimmie Bob Durham (born July 10, 1940 – died November 17, 2021) was an American artist. He was known for his sculptures, essays, and poems. In the 1960s and 1970s, he was active in important movements for civil rights in the United States. These included movements for African Americans and Native Americans. He was even part of the main council of the American Indian Movement (AIM). Later, he focused on his art, which has been shown in many places around the world. He also won several awards for his work.
Jimmie Durham often said he was from the Cherokee people. However, leaders from the Cherokee tribes have stated that he was not a member and had no known family ties to their communities.
Contents
Early Life and Learning
Jimmie Durham was born on July 10, 1940, in Houston, Texas. In the 1960s, he became involved in theater, performances, and writing related to the Civil Rights Movement. This movement worked to gain equal rights for all people.
In 1965, he moved to Austin, where he worked at the University of Texas at Austin. He also started showing his artwork there. His first art show by himself was in Austin in 1965. In 1969, Durham moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where he studied art at L'École des Beaux-Arts.
His Work as an Activist
In 1973, Durham came back to the United States. He became involved with the American Indian Movement (AIM). From 1973 to 1980, he worked as a political organizer for AIM. He became a member of the movement's main council. During this time, he presented himself as a Native American. He usually claimed to be Cherokee and wrote for the organization.
In 1974, he went to a conference for the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). He later became the chief administrator for the IITC. He worked to help the United Nations recognize the IITC as an important non-governmental organization. Durham also became friends with Winona LaDuke and encouraged her to become an activist.
His Art Career
After moving to New York City, Jimmie Durham focused on creating visual art. He made sculptures that questioned common ways of showing North American Indians. He often showed his art and published essays. From 1981 to 1983, he was in charge of the Foundation for the Community of Artists in New York. In 1983, a book of his poems called Columbus Day was published. His poems were also in a collection of Native American poetry.
In 1987, Durham moved to Cuernavaca, Mexico. While living in Mexico, he showed his art in many places. These included the Whitney Biennial and documenta IX. He also wrote many essays for art magazines. In 1993, a collection of his essays was published.
After several years in Mexico, Durham moved to Europe in 1994. He lived in Berlin and then Naples. In Europe, he mostly focused on how architecture, monuments, and national stories are connected. His sculptures, performances, and videos often used stone. He wanted to show stone in new ways, away from its usual meanings of being grand or permanent.
His art has been shown in many places in Europe. These include the Venice Biennale, which is a very famous art event. In 2005, Durham helped organize an art show called The American West. This show looked at the myths of cowboys and Indians. In 2009, a permanent public artwork by Durham was put in Indre, France. In 2016, he received the Goslarer Kaiserring award.
In 1995, a book about his art called Jimmie Durham was published. It included writings by different art experts.
In 2003, a large show of his work called From the West Pacific to the East Atlantic was shown in France and the Netherlands. In 2009, another big show of his art was held in Paris, France. In 2012, a show called A Matter of Life and Death and Singing was held in Belgium.
In 2017, a major show called Jimmie Durham: At the Center of the World opened in Los Angeles. It then traveled to other cities like Minneapolis and New York City. This show brought up discussions again about Durham's claims of being Cherokee.
Claims of Cherokee Background
Jimmie Durham claimed to be one-quarter Cherokee. He also said he grew up in a community where Cherokee was spoken. However, he was raised in Texas, Louisiana, and Oklahoma. His father moved around for work. Some experts and Cherokee leaders have said that Durham was one of many people who pretend to be Cherokee or Native American to help their careers. They say he made a career out of being "Cherokee" but had no real ties to any Cherokee community.
In June 2017, ten Cherokee tribal leaders, artists, and scholars wrote an open letter about Durham. It was titled, "Dear Unsuspecting Public, Jimmie Durham Is a Trickster." They stated: Durham is not a member and cannot become a member of any of the three official Cherokee Tribes. These tribes are the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians of Oklahoma, and the Cherokee Nation. These false claims are harmful. They misrepresent Native people, weaken tribal independence, and make the important work of real Native artists seem less important.
They also said that by showing his work as a Cherokee person, Durham might be breaking the Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990. This law helps protect Native American artists. Some art museums held events to talk about these important issues.
Death
Jimmie Durham passed away on November 17, 2021, in Berlin. He was 81 years old.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmie Durham para niños
- Jean Fisher
- Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
- Ward Churchill
- Pretendian
