Brian Jungen: Strange Comfort

Brian Jungen transforms the familiar and banal into exquisite objects that engage themes of globalization, pop culture, museums, and the commodification of Indian imagery. Jungen (Dunne-za First Nations and Swiss-Canadian, b. 1970) first came to prominence with Prototypes for New Understanding (1998–2005), which turned Nike footwear into masks that suggested Northwest Coast iconography. Later works have included a pod of whales made from plastic chairs, totem poles made from golf bags, and a massive basketball court made from 224 sewing tables. Strange Comfort is a major survey that features Jungen's iconic works, as well as monumental new pieces never before seen in the United States. The exhibition is organized by National Museum of the American Indian Associate Curator Paul Chaat Smith.