Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe
Water’s Edge: The Art of Truman Lowe is the first major retrospective devoted to acclaimed Hoocąk (Ho-Chunk) artist Truman Lowe (1944–2019). The exhibition brings together nearly 50 sculptures, drawings, and paintings spanning Lowe’s career, examining cultural traditions, memory, and people’s relationships to place.
Lowe’s minimalist sculptures use willow branches, feathers, and other organic materials to evoke the rivers, streams, waterfalls, and canoes of the Wisconsin woodlands where he was raised. His pastel and charcoal drawings likewise reflect on landscape, cultural memory, and tradition. The exhibition includes rarely seen monumental works and significant pieces from public and private collections, including 28 works from the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection.
When: November 25, 2025–January 18, 2027
Venue: National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC
Tickets: Price not available
Featured artist: Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944–2019)
Works: Nearly 50 sculptures, drawings, and paintings representing the evolution and major themes of Lowe’s work throughout his career
Selected works: Featured pieces include *Feather Canoe*; *Wa-Du-Sheh (Bundle)*; *Stream II*; *Stars*; *Mimi*; *Ottawa*; and an untitled 1996 pastel and powdered-pigment work on paper. The works incorporate materials such as peeled willow, pine, feathers, copper wire, paper, wax, leather, stones, watercolor, and pastel.
Collection highlights: Twenty-eight works come from the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection, alongside important loans from public and private collections.
Catalogue: A companion catalogue includes scholarly essays and reflections from artists influenced by Lowe, offering new perspectives on his life and artistic development.
Related resources: The exhibition page provides an audio guide, an Audioguía, a video, and catalogue information.
Additional venue: The exhibition is scheduled to be on view at the Milwaukee Art Museum from April 9–August 1, 2027.
Support: Leading support is provided by Bank of America. Major support comes from the Henry Luce Foundation, with additional support from the Terra Foundation for American Art, Ameriprise Financial, John and Meryl Lavine, Greg and Cathy Tibbles, and Leslie A. Wheelock.