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MMIW

Smithsonian American Art Museum and its Renwick Gallery

Object Details

Artist
Katrina Mitten, born Huntington, IN 1962
Exhibition Label
Katrina Mitten created the MMIW (Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women) face mask as a statement of solidarity and awareness during the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains, “Many women use the red handprint to bring attention to the horrible injustices that are occurring in indigenous communities throughout North America. Having to wear protective masks for our health would cover those who choose to paint the handprint on their faces, and I beaded it onto the mask.”
At the age of twelve, Mitten began learning the traditional arts of the Miami, a Native nation whose name for itself is Myaamia, meaning the “Downstream People.” She continues to make traditional clothing and practice Miami-style beadwork.
This Present Moment: Crafting a Better World, 2022
Credit Line
Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Kenneth R. Trapp Acquisition Fund
Copyright
© 4/2020, Katrina Mitten
2020
Object number
2020.29.1
Restrictions & Rights
Usage conditions apply
Type
Decorative Arts-Fiber
Crafts
Medium
cotton fabric, ribbon, Czech seed beads, bone, shell
Dimensions
Overall: 4 3/4 x 41 1/8 x 1 5/8 in. Mask and Beads: 4 3/4 x 7 7/8 x 1 5/8 in. Mask: 3 5/8 x 7 5/8 x 1 5/8 in. Right upper tie: 16 1/2 x 5/8 in. Right lower tie: 16 5/8 x 5/8 in. Left upper tie: 16 1/4 x 5/8 in. Left lower tie: 16 1/8 x 5/8 in.
See more items in
Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection
Department
Renwick Gallery
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Topic
Figure\fragment\hand
Dress\accessory
Record ID
saam_2020.29.1
Metadata Usage (text)
Not determined
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7a0ae588a-abba-4714-8220-fa9f4ae5201b
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