Critical Writing Index

Why People Love Cowboys: A Very Partial Review of The American West book and exhibition

by Janna Graham

Fuse, 2006, pp. 34-37

The American West exhibition critiques mythologies of the American West that continues to spread the propaganda of genocide. Including both contemporary art and vernacular artifacts collected from cowboy museums, truck stops and tourist shops, the curators illustrate how the myth of the West continues to effect everyday life in America.

The artists (including Kent Monkman and Lori Blondeau), curators and catalogue writers work though a complex set of dynamics; using humor, intelligence and friendship to refuse and decode the influence and propagandistic nature of "cowboy law".

ITEM 2006.039 – available for viewing in the Research Centre

Videos, Artworks and Artists Cited

End of the FrailJames Luna

A Cowboy's WaysDolly Parton

Bar Interior, La Jolla Indian Reservation, CaliforniaRichard William Hill

CowboysMaria Thereza Alves

St Thomas TrilogyKent Monkman

Death of General WolfeEdward Poitras

Red HandedTerrence Houle

Lonely Surfer SquawLori Blondeau

Indian ActNadia Myre

Littleman Galloping

He(a)rdAln Michelson