The Flomenhaft Gallery

The Flomenhaft Gallery 

The Flomenhaft Gallery combined the works of many immigrant artists from many cultures such as those of  Native American, Japanese American, Chinese American, African American, Indian American from Mumbai, and Russian Émigré photographers. Each of the artist well portrayed their stories.

Although many stories of the artwork were memorable, I personally remember JauneQuick–to–See Smith’s story the most. JauneQuick–to–SeeSmith is an internationally renowned artist who was born on an Indian Reservation. Every student should remember how unfairly the Native Americans were kicked out of their lands and sent into reservations to more or less wipe them out. Her work that was displayed at the gallery included socio-political commentary on her people’s painful story. The dots on her work caught my eyes and it was explained that they represented the smallpox that Smith’s people received through the blankets they were given. When Native Americans died through small pox, the Americans took their blankets to give them to others on reservations. It was unfortunate that the Native Americans had to risk using the blankets because without the blankets, they would die from the cold weather before they even get the pox. This was essentially done to kill as many of them.
America is nation of immigrants, and as an immigrant myself, I tend to forget that I am where I am because of what people before went through. Immigrants these days seem to take our rights and freedom for granted without appreciating what others have done for us to allow future immigrants to live quite comfortably on this land. However, through this gallery exhibition, Fabric of America, it reminded me of the history and to be thankful of the things I am given. I really enjoyed the experience.