List of indigenous artists of the Americas
This is a list of visual artists who are Indigenous peoples of the Americas, categorized by primary media. Mestizo and Métis artists whose indigenous descent is integral to their art are included, as are Siberian Yup'ik artists due to their cultural commonalities with Alaskan Yup'ik people. This list includes notable visual artists who are Inuit people, Alaskan Natives, Siberian Yup'ik, American Indians, First Nations, Métis, Mestizos, and Indigenous peoples of Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. Indigenous identity is a complex and contested issue and differs from country to country in the Americas. Inclusion to this list is based on legal membership to an Indigenous community, when applicable, or recognition by the relevant indigenous community/communities of the individual as a member of that community.
Basket makers
- Elsie Allen, Cloverdale Pomo, 1899–1990
- Annie Antone, Tohono O'odham
- Carrie Bethel, Mono Lake Paiute, 1898–1974
- Mary Holiday Black, Navajo, born c. 1934
- Loren Bommelyn, Smith River Tolowa
- Nellie Charlie, Mono Lake Paiute, 1867–1965
- Kelly Church, Potawatomi/Odawa-Ojibwe
- Delores Churchill, Haida
- Mike Dart, Cherokee Nation, born 1977
- Florence Davidson, Haida, Canada, 1896–1993
- Mavis Doering, Cherokee Nation, 1929–2007
- Joe Feddersen, Colville, born 1953
- Iva Honyestewa, Hopi/Navajo
- Terrol Dew Johnson, Tohono O'odham
- Yvonne Walker Keshick, Anishinaabe born 1946
- Louisa Keyser, Washoe, c. 1829/1850–1925
- Kikisoblu, Lushootseed, c. 1820–1896
- Mabel McKay, Pomo/Patwin, 1907–1993
- Geo Soctomah Neptune, Passamaquoddy
- Essie Parrish, Kashaya Pomo, 1902–1979
- Boeda Strand, Snohomish
- Lucy Telles, Mono Lake Paiute/Yosemite Miwok, c. 1885–1955
- Gail Tremblay, Mi'kmaq/Onondaga
Beadwork and quillwork artists
- Tahnee Ahtoneharjo-Growingthunder, Kiowa/Muscogee/Seminole
- Richard Aitson, Kiowa/Kiowa Apache, born 1953
- Marcus Amerman, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- Imogene Goodshot Arquero, beadwork artist
- Martha Berry, Cherokee Nation
- Chipeta, Kiowa Apache, 1843/4–1924
- Juanita Growing Thunder Fogarty, Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux, born 1969
- Teri Greeves, Kiowa, born 1970
- Carla Hemlock, Mohawk
- Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings, Kiowa/Kiowa Apache/Gila River Pima, born 1952
- Maude Kegg, Ojibwe, 1904–1986
- Yvonne Walker Keshick, Grand Traverse Ottawa-Ojibwe, born 1946
- Katrina Mitten, Miami Tribe of Oklahoma beadwork artist
- Emily Waheneka, Warm Springs/Wasco/Northern Paiute, 1919–2008
Ceramic artists
- Aguilar Family, Santo Domingo Pueblo
- Mrs. Ramos Aguilar, Santo Domingo Pueblo
- Tammie Allen, Jicarilla Apache
- Asuncion Aguilar Cate, Santo Domingo Pueblo
- Crucita Gonzales Calabaza, San Ildefonso Pueblo
- Marie Chino, Acoma
- Vera Chino, Acoma
- Deborah Clashin, Hopi-Tewa, born 1928
- Helen Quintana Cordero, Cochiti Pueblo, 1915–1994
- Arthur and Hilda Coriz, Santo Domingo Pueblo
- Juanita Suazo Dubray, Taos Pueblo
- Anthony Durand, Picuris Pueblo
- Felipita Aguilar Garcia, Santo Domingo Pueblo
- Tammy Garcia, Santa Clara Pueblo, born 1969
- Rose Gonzales, Ohkay Owingeh
- Margaret and Luther Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Michael Kanteena, Laguna Pueblo
- Lucy M. Lewis, Acoma Pueblo
- Joseph Lonewolf, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Julian Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo
- Maria Montoya Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo
- Helen Naha, Hopi
- Tyra Naha, Hopi, granddaughter of Helen Naha
- Nampeyo, Tewa, Hopi, c. 1859–1942
- Elva Nampeyo, Hopi
- Fannie Nampeyo, Hopi
- Dextra Nampeyo Quotskuyva, Tewa-Hopi
- Nora Naranjo-Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Al Qöyawayma, Hopi
- Jeri Redcorn, Caddo-Potawatomi, born c. 1940
- Diego Romero, Cochiti Pueblo
- Linda Sisneros, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Merton Sisneros, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Anita Suazo, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Margaret Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, 1904–2001
- Leonidas Tapia, Ohkay Owingeh
- Faye Tso, Navajo, 1933–2004
- Nathan Youngblood, Santa Clara Pueblo
Diverse cultural artists
- William Commanda, Anishinaabe, Canada, born 1913, canoe maker
- Nora Thompson Dean, Delaware Tribe of Indians, 1907–1984
- Vanessa Paukeigope Jennings, Kiowa/Apache/Pima, born 1952
- Hawk Littlejohn, Eastern Band Cherokee, 1941–2000, flute maker
- Tom Mauchahty-Ware, Kiowa/Comanche, 1946–2015, flute maker
- Angelique Merasty, Woodland Cree, 1924–1996, birchbark biting artist
- Scarface Charley, Modoc, c. 1851–1896
- Hastings Shade, Cherokee Nation, 1941–2010, antler carver, marble- and gig-maker
- Tommy Wildcat, Cherokee Nation/Natchez, flute and rattle maker, born 1967
Draftspeople
- Kenojuak Ashevak, Inuit, born 1927
- Pitseolak Ashoona, Inuit, 1904/1907–1983
- Roy Boney, Jr., Cherokee Nation, born 1978
- Chafil Cheucarama, Wounaan, Panama
- Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, Quechua, c. 1535–after 1616
- Phyllis Grant, Mi'kmaq, Canada, born 1972
- Aka Høegh, Greenlandic Inuit, born 1947
- Tivi Etok, Inuit, born 1929
- Alootook Ipellie, Inuit, 1951–2007
- Helen Kalvak, Copper Inuit, 1901–1983
- Daphne Odjig, Odawa-Potawatomi, born 1919
- Annie Pootoogook, Inuit, born 1969
- Mary Pudlat, Inuk, 1923–2001
- Pudlo Pudlat, Inuit, 1916–1992
- Moses Stranger Horse, Brulé Lakota, 1890–1941
- Pablo Tac, Luiseño, 1822–1841
- Irene Avaalaaqiaq Tiktaalaaq, Inuit, born 1941
- Francisco Toledo, Zapotec, Mexico, born 1940
- Shanawdithit, Beothuk, Canada, c. 1801–1829
- Simon Tookoome, Inuit, 1934–2010
- Elizabeth Woody, Navajo-Tenino -Wasco-Yakama, born 1959
- Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, Haida, Canada, born 1954
Glass artists
- Marcus Amerman, Choctaw, born 1959
- Preston Singletary, Tlingit, born 1963
Installation artists
- Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc, born 1980
- Rebecca Belmore, Ojibway, Canada, born 1960
- Raven Chacon, Navajo Nation, born 1977
- Corky Clairmont, Salish-Kootenai, born 1946
- Gerald Clarke, Cahuilla, born 1967
- Lorenzo Clayton, Navajo, born 1950
- Bonnie Devine, Serpent River First Nation
- Greg A. Hill, Kanyen'kehaka Mohawk, Canada
- Brian Jungen, Danezaa, Canada, born 1970
- Truman Lowe, Hochunk, 1940–2019
- James Luna, Luiseño, born 1950
- Dylan Miner, Métis, US, 1976
- Nora Naranjo-Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo, born 1953
- Marianne Nicolson, Dzawada’enuxw, born 1969
- Charlene Teters, Spokane, born 1952
- Marie Watt, Seneca Nation, born 1967
- Richard Ray Whitman, Yuchi, born 1949
Metalsmiths and jewelers
- Atsidi Sani, "Old Smith", Navajo, c. 1828–1918
- Klee Benally, Navajo, born October 1975
- Gail Bird, Kewa Pueblo-Laguna Pueblo
- Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Cheyenne, born 1933
- Charles Edenshaw, Haida, Canada, 1839–1920
- Michael Horse, Yaqui-Mescalero Apache-Zuni-descent, born 1951
- Yazzie Johnson, Navajo
- Michael Kabotie, Hopi, 1942–2009
- Charles Loloma, Hopi, 1921–1991
- Bill Reid, Haida, Canada, 1920–1998
- Emory Sekaquaptewa, Hopi, 1928–2007
- Phillip Sekaquaptewa, Hopi, born 1956
- Sequoyah, Cherokee, c. 1767–1843
- Jay Simeon, Haida, Canada, born 1976
- Tommy Singer, Navajo, born 1940
New media artists
- Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc, born 1980
- Nicholas Galanin, Tlingit Aleut, born 1979
- Rosemary Georgeson, Coast Salish and Sahtu Dene multimedia artist
Mixed-media artists
- Melissa Melero-Moose mixed-media artist, curator
Painters
Canada and Greenland
- Aron of Kangeq, Kalaallit, Greenland, 1822–1869
- Carl Beam, M'Chigeeng First Nation Ojibwe 1943–2005
- Jackson Beardy, Ayisini, 1944–1984
- Robert Boyer, Métis-Cree, 1948–2004
- Benjamin Chee Chee, Ojibwe, 1944–1977
- Thue Christiansen, Greenlandic Inuit, Greenland, born 1940
- George Clutesi, Tseshaht First Nation, 1905–1988
- Eddy Cobiness, Ojibwe, 1933–1996
- Joseph Tehawehron David, Mohawk, 1957–2004
- Delree Dumont, Onion Lake Cree Nation
- Robert Houle, Saulteaux, born 1947
- Tom Hogan, Ojibwe, 1955–2014
- Alex Janvier, Dene Suline-Saulteaux, born 1935
- Abe Kakepetum, Sandy Lake First Nation
- Henrik Lund, Greenlandic Inuit, Greenland, 1875–1948
- Gerald McMaster, Plains Cree-Siksika First Nation, born 1953
- Kent Monkman, Cree, born 1965
- Norval Morrisseau, Ojibwa, 1932–2007
- David Neel, Kwakwaka'wakw, born 1960
- Maxine Noel, Santee-Oglala Lakota, born 1946
- Daphne Odjig, Odawa/Potawatomi, born 1919
- Carl Ray, Sandy Lake First Nation, 1943–1978
- Rick Rivet, Sahtu/Métis, born 1949
- Allen Sapp, Cree, born 1928
- David B. Williams, Ojibway, died 2009
- Alfred Young Man, Plains Cree
United States
- Arthur Amiotte, Oglala Lakota
- Spencer Asah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six
- James Auchiah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six
- Amos Bad Heart Bull, Oglala Lakota
- Louis Ballard, Quapaw/Cherokee
- Rick Bartow, Yurok/Mad River Wiyot,
- Fred Beaver, Muscogee Creek/Seminole,
- Harrison Begay, Navajo,
- Archie Blackowl, Southern Cheyenne,
- Acee Blue Eagle, Creek,
- T.C. Cannon, Kiowa/Caddo
- Pop Chalee, Taos Pueblo
- Jesse Cornplanter, Seneca Nation
- Woody Crumbo, Potawatomi
- David Cusick, Tuscarora
- Dennis Cusick, Tuscarora
- Talmadge Davis, Cherokee Nation
- Angel De Cora, Winnebago
- Patrick DesJarlait, Red Lake Ojibwe
- Cecil Dick, Cherokee
- Bunky Echo–Hawk, Yakama/Pawnee
- Joseph Erb, Cherokee Nation,
- Harry Fonseca, Maidu
- Jeffrey Gibson, Mississippi Choctaw/Cherokee
- R.C. Gorman, Navajo
- Enoch Kelly Haney, Seminole
- Helen Hardin, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Albert Harjo, Muscogee Creek
- Benjamin Harjo, Jr., Absentee Shawnee/Seminole
- Sharron Ahtone Harjo, Kiowa
- Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds, Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes
- Joan Hill, Muscogee Nation/Cherokee
- Jack Hokeah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six,
- Norma Howard, Choctaw/Chickasaw
- Oscar Howe, Yanktonai
- Howling Wolf, Southern Cheyenne
- Sharon Irla, Cherokee Nation
- David Johns
- Ruthe Blalock Jones
- Fred Kabotie, Hopi
- Michael Kabotie, Hopi
- Lois Smoky Kaulaity, Bougetah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six
- Albert Looking Elk, Taos Pueblo
- Albert Lujan, Taos Pueblo
- Julian Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo
- Mario Martinez, Yaqui
- Barbara McAlister, Cherokee Nation
- Alex Meraz, Purépecha
- America Meredith, Cherokee Nation
- Douglas Miles, San Carlos Apache/Akimel O'odham
- Juan Mirabal, Taos Pueblo
- Stephen Mopope, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six
- George Morrison, Grand Portage Ojibwe,
- Naiche, Chiricahua Apache],
- Gerald Nailor, Sr., Navajo
- Dan Namingha, Hopi
- Jackson Narcomey, Muscogee Creek Nation/Seminole,
- Diane O'Leary, Comanche
- Tonita Peña, San Ildefonso
- St. David Pendleton Oakerhater, Southern Cheyenne
- Sanford Plummer, Seneca Nation
- Harvey Pratt, Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes
- Kevin Red Star, Crow Nation
- Mateo Romero, Cochiti Pueblo
- Paladine Roye, Ponca,
- Will Sampson, Muscogee Creek
- Fritz Scholder, Luiseño
- Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Salish-Kootenai, Métis-Cree, Shoshone-Bannock
- Ernest Spybuck, Absentee Shawnee
- Moses Stranger Horse, Sicangu Lakota
- Virginia Stroud, United Keetoowah Band Cherokee/Muscogee Creek
- Carl Sweezy, Southern Arapaho
- Quincy Tahoma, Navajo
- Jerome Tiger, Muscogee Creek/Seminole
- Johnny Tiger, Jr., Muscogee Creek-Seminole
- Tohausen, Kiowa
- Monroe Tsatoke, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six
- Klah Tso, Navajo,
- Pablita Velarde, Santa Clara Pueblo,
- Kay WalkingStick, Cherokee Nation
- Walter Richard West Sr., Dick West, Southern Cheyenne
- Dyani White Hawk, Sicangu Lakota
- White Horse, Kiowa
- Emmi Whitehorse, Navajo
Mexico
- Fernando de Alva Cortés Ixtlilxochitl, Texcocan,
- Miguel Cabrera, Zapotec,
- Jesús Guerrero Galván, Nahua,
- Frida Kahlo, Purépecha-descent,
- María Izquierdo, San Juan de los Lagos, Jalisco,
- Rodolfo Morales, Zapotec,
- Diego Rivera, Mestizo from mother's side,
- Rufino Tamayo, Zapotec,
Central America and the Caribbean
- Pen Cayetano, Garifuna, Belize
- Chafil Cheucarama, Wounaan, Panama
- Andrés Curruchich, Kaqchikel Maya,
- Luis Rolando Ixquiac Xicara, Maya, Guatemala,
- Aníbal López, Maya, Guatemala,
- Carlos Mérida, K'iche' Maya-Zapotec, Guatemala,
South America
- Camilo Egas, Mestizo, Ecuador,
- Oswaldo Guayasamín, Quechua, Ecuador,
- Antonio Sinchi Roca Inka, Quechua, Peru,
- Eduardo Kingman, Mestizo, Ecuador,
- Carlos Jacanamijoy, Inga, Colombia,
- Roberto Mamani Mamani, Aymara, Bolivia,
- Diego Quispe Tito, Quechua, Peru,
- Basilio Santa Cruz Pumacallao, Quechua, Peru,
- George Simon, Lokono Arawak, Guyana,
- Alejandro Mario Yllanes, Aymara, Bolivia,
- Marcos Zapata, Quechua, Peru,
Performance artists
- Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc,
- Marcus Amerman, Choctaw,
- Rebecca Belmore, Anishinaabe, Canada,
- Aníbal López, Maya, Guatemala,
- James Luna, Luiseño,
- Kent Monkman, Cree, Canada,
- Mujeres Creando, Mestiza, Bolivia
Photographers
- Dugan Aguilar, Paiute-Achomawi-Maidu
- Martín Chambi, Quechua, Peru
- Jennie Ross Cobb, Cherokee
- Jean Fredericks, Hopi
- Luis González Palma, Mestizo, Guatemala
- Shan Goshorn, Eastern Band Cherokee
- Benjamin Haldane, Tsimshian
- Sally Larsen, Apache-Alutiiq
- L. Frank Manriquez, Tongva-Acjachemen
- Lee Marmon, Laguna Pueblo
- Parker McKenzie, Kiowa
- Larry McNeil, Tlingit-Nisga'a
- David Neel, Kwakwaka'wakw
- Shelley Niro, Mohawk
- Peter Pitseolak, Inuk
- Horace Poolaw, Kiowa
- Arthur Renwick, Haisla
- Richard Throssel, Cree
- Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, Muscogee Creek-Seminole-Navajo
- Richard Ray Whitman, Yuchi-Muscogee Creek
- Matika Wilbur, founder of Project 562, Swinomish-Tulalip
- Will Wilson, Navajo
Printmakers
- Germaine Arnaktauyok, Inuit,
- Kenojuak Ashevak, Inuit,
- Siasi Atitu, Inuit,
- T.C. Cannon, Kiowa-Caddo-Choctaw
- Corky Clairmont, Salish-Kootenai,
- Santos Chávez, Mapuche, Chile,
- Lorenzo Clayton, Navajo,
- Joe David, Nuu-chah-nulth,
- Tivi Etok, Inuit,
- Joe Feddersen, Colville,
- R.C. Gorman, Navajo,
- Benjamin Harjo Jr., Shawnee-Seminole
- Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds, Cheyenne-Arapaho
- Debora Iyall, Cowlitz,
- James Lavadour, Walla Walla
- Linda Lomahaftewa, Hopi-Choctaw,
- America Meredith, Cherokee Nation,
- Carlos Mérida, K'iche' Maya,
- Dylan Miner, Métis,
- Jessie Oonark, Inuit,
- Parr, Inuit,
- David Ruben Piqtoukun, Inuit,
- Kananginak Pootoogook, Inuit,
- Jay Simeon, Haida, Canada,
- Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Salish-Kootenai, Métis-Cree, Shoshone-Bannock
- Joe Talirunili, Inuit, Canada,
- Arthur Vickers, Tsimshian-Heiltsuk, Canada,
- Roy Henry Vickers, Tsimshian-Haida-Heiltsuk,
- Tania Willard, Secwepemc nation
- Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, Gitxsan,
- Melanie Yazzie, Navajo,
- Alejandro Mario Yllanes, Aymara, Bolivia,
Sculptors
- Blackbear Bosin, Kiowa/Comanche,
- Thue Christiansen Greenlandic Inuk,
- Gerald Clarke, Cahuilla,
- Lorenzo Clayton, Navajo,
- Joe Feddersen, Colville Okanagan-Sinixt,
- Cliff Fragua, Jemez Pueblo
- Tammy Garcia, Santa Clara Pueblo,
- Jeffrey Gibson, Mississippi Choctaw/Cherokee,
- Aka Høegh, Greenlandic Inuk,
- Allan Houser, Chiricahua Apache
- Bob Haozous, Chiricahua Apache,
- Osuitok Ipeelee, Inuk,
- Floyd Kuptana, Inuk,
- Truman Lowe, Ho-chunk,
- Edmonia Lewis, Mississauga Ojibwe,
- Andy Miki, Inuk,
- Nora Naranjo Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo
- John Pangnark, Inuk,
- David Ruben Piqtoukun, Inuk,
- Harvey Pratt, Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes
- Lawney Reyes, Sinixt
- Pauta Saila, Inuk,
- Ronald Senungetuk, Iñupiaq,
- Nick Sikkuark, Inuk,
- Russell Spears, Narragansett
- Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara Pueblo
- Ralph W. Sturges, Mohegan
- Joe Talirunili, Inuk, Canada,
- John Tiktak, Inuk,
- Francisco Tito Yupanqui, sculptor
- Bernadette Iguptark Tongelik, Inuk,
- Simon Tookoome, Utkusiksalingmiut Inuk,
- Natar Ungalaaq, Inuk,
- Marie Watt, Seneca Nation
Textile artists
- Gina Adams, Ojibwe/Lakota-descent
- Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc,
- Florence Davidson, Haida, Canada,
- Hastiin Klah, Navajo,
- Carla Hemlock, Mohawk,
- Ardina Moore, Quapaw-Osage,
- Dora Old Elk, Apsáalooke/Sioux,
- Jessie Oonark, Inuk,
- Clara Sherman, Navajo,
- Jennie Thlunaut, Tlingit,
Woodcarvers
- Frederick Alexcee, Tsimshian,
- Dempsey Bob, Tahltan-Tlingit,
- Dale Campbell, Tahltan,
- Jesse Cornplanter, Seneca Nation,
- Amanda Crowe, Eastern Band Cherokee,
- Reg Davidson, Haida,
- Robert Davidson, Haida,
- Freda Diesing, Haida,
- Charles Edenshaw, Haida,
- Walter Harris, Gitksan,
- Bill Helin, Tsimshian
- Babe Hemlock, Mohawk,
- Calvin Hunt, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Henry Hunt, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Richard Hunt, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Tony Hunt, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Oswald Hussein, Lokono Arawak,
- William Jeffrey, Tsimshian,
- Gerry Marks, Haida
- Mungo Martin, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Tom Mauchahty-Ware, Kiowa-Comanche
- Ellen Neel, Kwakwaka'wakw,
- Bill Reid, Haida,
- Norman Tait, Nisga'a,
- Willie Seaweed, Kwakwaka'wakw
- Terry Starr, Tsimshian, Canada,
- Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, Gitksan,
- James Schoppert, Tlingit,