Not Native American Art

"A thoroughly researched and well-written book, Not Native American Art tackles a complex subject and breaks it down into more understandable terms while simultaneously not oversimplifying it... [A] must-read for anyone interested in Native history, art, and material culture."

"A refreshing insight into the challenging, and often troubling, aspect of the creation of Native art by non-Native artisans, Not Native American Art is a must-have for those interested in the complexity of the creation of Native art by both Native and non-Native artists."

"Takes readers into an ethical labyrinth populated by nostalgic hobbyists and reenactors, wily art dealers, heavy-handed restorers, and skilled replica artists. Janet Catherine Berlo's witty, nuanced stories of intercultural collaboration and the hybridity of Indigenous traditions make a major contribution to current debates about colonialism, cultural appropriation, and revitalization in Native America."

"One of our most talented and committed historians of Native American art, Janet Berlo has crafted a powerful and provocative inquiry into the categories that have sorted and sifted Native art—original, replica, artifake, pastiche, among others. Rip-roaring right out of the gate, Not Native American Art offers a world-shaking journey through an array of objects much more confusing—and interesting—than we ever thought possible."

"Janet Berlo has long been a leading voice in conversations about the social life of Native American art. Here, she has authored another vibrant and vital contribution to our understanding of Native American artforms through the lens of authenticity. This is a brilliant account that goes to the heart of what we mean by 'real'—a series of questions that Berlo incisively answers by examining the intersection of performance and positionality, history and politics, identity and lived experience. I can't recommend this book highly enough."