Art for an Undivided Earth: The American Indian Movement Generation by Jessica L. Horton – Indigenous Art, Colonialism,

Introduction

In the vast landscape of art history and indigenous studies, few works capture the transformative power of visual culture as compellingly as Jessica L. Horton's Art for an Undivided Earth: The American Indian Movement Generation. This groundbreaking hardcover volume, published by Duke University Press, offers a profound re-examination of how Native American artists from the American Indian Movement (AIM) generation reshaped the very foundations of modern art. For Indian readers, students, and scholars interested in decolonial aesthetics, indigenous sovereignty, and the politics of representation, this book provides a vital lens through which to understand art as a tool for reclaiming space, time, and identity.

Book Overview

Jessica L. Horton's Art for an Undivided Earth is a richly illustrated and meticulously researched study that positions the work of AIM-generation artists at the forefront of a global conversation about modernity, displacement, and resistance. The book argues that these artists did not simply respond to colonialism—they actively remapped the coordinates of modern art by centering indigenous experiences of land, movement, and memory. Through a combination of critical theory, archival research, and close readings of artworks, Horton demonstrates how painting, sculpture, performance, and installation became powerful sites for challenging settler-colonial narratives and envisioning a more just, interconnected world.

Key Highlights

• Decolonial Art Framework: Explores how AIM artists used their work to critique and dismantle colonial structures, offering alternative ways of understanding space and time.
• Global Indigenous Solidarity: Connects the struggles of Native American artists with broader movements for indigenous rights across the Americas and beyond.
• Rich Visual Analysis: Features detailed examinations of key artworks, including paintings, murals, and performance pieces, with attention to materials, symbolism, and cultural context.
• Archival Depth: Draws on previously unpublished letters, interviews, and exhibition records to provide new insights into the creative processes of AIM-generation artists.
• Interdisciplinary Approach: Bridges art history, indigenous studies, cultural geography, and political theory to create a holistic understanding of the period.

Inside the Book

The book is structured around thematic chapters that trace the evolution of AIM art from the 1960s through the 1990s. Horton begins by contextualizing the political and cultural upheavals that gave rise to the American Indian Movement, then moves into detailed case studies of individual artists and collectives. Readers will encounter the powerful works of figures such as Jimmie Durham, Kay WalkingStick, and the members of the American Indian Movement's art wing, as well as lesser-known practitioners whose contributions have been historically marginalized. Each chapter weaves together visual analysis with stories of activism, migration, and spiritual renewal, showing how art became a means of healing the wounds of displacement.

Key Topics

• The American Indian Movement and its cultural legacy
• Indigenous concepts of land, sovereignty, and belonging
• Decolonizing art history and museum practices
• Performance art as political protest and ceremony
• The role of photography and film in documenting indigenous resistance
• Transnational indigenous networks and solidarity movements
• Reclaiming traditional materials and techniques in contemporary art

Reader Benefits

This book offers Indian readers a rare opportunity to engage with indigenous perspectives from North America while drawing parallels with India's own diverse tribal and Adivasi art traditions. Students will gain critical tools for analyzing how art functions in contexts of oppression and resistance, while artists and curators will find inspiration in the innovative strategies of AIM-generation creators. The accessible yet rigorous writing makes complex theoretical ideas understandable without oversimplifying. Additionally, the book's emphasis on spatial and temporal re-mapping resonates deeply with contemporary debates about decolonization, globalisation, and environmental justice, making it relevant far beyond its immediate subject matter.

Learning Outcomes

By reading Art for an Undivided Earth, readers will be able to: articulate the key arguments of decolonial art theory; identify major artists and works of the AIM generation; analyse how indigenous artists challenge Western notions of modernity and progress; connect historical struggles for land rights to contemporary artistic practices; and apply critical frameworks to other contexts of colonial displacement, including in South Asia. The book also equips readers with vocabulary and concepts to discuss indigenous sovereignty in visual culture, a skill increasingly valuable in academic and professional settings.

Who Should Read

This book is essential for students and scholars of art history, visual culture, indigenous studies, American studies, and postcolonial theory. It will also appeal to practising artists, curators, and museum professionals interested in decolonising their practice. For Indian readers, particularly those from Adivasi or Dalit communities, the book offers powerful resonances with local struggles for land, representation, and cultural survival. General readers with an interest in social justice, activism, and the transformative power of art will find the narratives compelling and thought-provoking.

About the Author

Jessica L. Horton is an associate professor of art history at the University of Delaware, where she specialises in modern and contemporary indigenous art of North America. Her research focuses on the intersections of art, politics, and indigenous sovereignty, and she has published widely in leading journals. Horton's work is known for its commitment to centering indigenous voices and challenging Eurocentric art historical narratives. Art for an Undivided Earth is the culmination of over a decade of research and builds on her earlier studies of Native American modernism.

About the Publisher

Duke University Press is a prestigious academic publisher based in Durham, North Carolina, known for its influential books in the humanities and social sciences. With a strong commitment to publishing works that advance critical thought and social justice, Duke University Press has become a leading voice in fields such as cultural studies, feminist theory, and indigenous studies. This hardcover edition reflects the high production standards expected of a Duke University Press title, with quality binding, archival paper, and carefully reproduced illustrations that do justice to the artworks discussed.

Conclusion

Art for an Undivided Earth: The American Indian Movement Generation is more than a book—it is a vital contribution to the ongoing project of decolonising art history. Jessica L. Horton's meticulous scholarship and passionate advocacy for indigenous perspectives make this an indispensable resource for anyone seeking to understand how art can heal, resist, and reimagine a world fractured by colonialism. For Indian readers, the book offers a powerful mirror to reflect on our own complex relationships with land, tradition, and modernity. Add this transformative volume to your library today and join the conversation about art's role in building a more just and undivided earth.