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 the ways people relate to particular places.
Lowe’s spare, graceful sculptures use willow branches, feathers, and other natural materials to recall the rivers, streams, waterfalls, and canoes of the Wisconsin woodlands where he grew up. His pastel and charcoal drawings likewise reflect on landscape, heritage, and personal and communal memory. The exhibition includes rarely exhibited monumental works and important pieces from public and private collections, including 28 works from the National Museum of the American Indian.
When: November 25, 2025–January 18, 2027
Venue: National Museum of the American Indian, Washington, DC
Tickets: Price not available
Artist: Truman Lowe (Hoocąk, 1944–2019)
Featured works: Works include *Feather Canoe* (circa 1993), made from peeled willow saplings, feathers, and copper wire; *Wa-Du-Sheh (Bundle)* (1996); *Untitled* (1996), a powdered-pigment and pastel drawing; *Stream II* (circa 1990–91); *Stars* (circa 1985–90); *Mimi* (1979), which incorporates pine, willow, bluejay feathers, leather, and glass beads; and *Ottawa* (1992), a monumental pine and willow work measuring approximately 5¾ by 8 by 30 feet.
Collection note: Twenty-eight of the exhibited works come from the National Museum of the American Indian’s collection. *Mimi* was donated by John Lavine and Meryl Lipton Lavine, while *Ottawa* is identified as part of the Truman T. Lowe Estate. *Ottawa* was previously shown in the 2017 exhibition *Cultural Confluence: Work by Truman Lowe* at the Plains Art Museum in Fargo, North Dakota.
Catalogue: An accompanying catalogue includes scholarly essays and reflections from artists influenced by Lowe, offering additional perspectives on his life and artistic development.
Later presentation: The exhibition is scheduled to be shown at the Milwaukee Art Museum from April 9 through August 1, 2027.
Support: Lead 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.