Announcing: Erased History Markers
In response to the work of artist Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith (Enrolled Salish, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Nation) and St. Louis’ State Streets Neighborhood, Counterpublic has created a series of Erased History Markers to be installed at eleven intersections where specific Native American Tribal Nations and the State names that displaced them meet, such as Osage Street and Missouri Avenue. Organized by Counterpublic 2023 curator Risa Puleo, each sign includes a brief description of the displacement of the Tribal Nation from that place, as well as links to current Tribal websites, additional treaty information, and Counterpublic’s website.
Intersections identified as part of this project are Osage & Missouri, Dakota & Minnesota, Chippewa & Minnesota, Chippewa & Wisconsin, Chippewa & Illinois, Winnebago & Wisconsin, Cherokee & Tennessee, Miami & Illinois, Potomac & Virginia, Miami & Ohio, and Miami & Indiana. These permanent signs aim to make apparent the histories of dispossession referenced by the intersection of street names in the State Streets neighborhood and are inspired by artist Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s map painting commissioned by Counterpublic and newly acquired and now on view at the St. Louis Art Museum.
Counterpublic aims to connect art with generational change, and the Erased History Markers is one of several permanent commissions continuing to open throughout 2024. Working with private property owners, five of the signs have been installed and permissions are being sought for the remaining six intersections.
Jaune Quick-to-See Smith Exhibition at The Saint Louis Art Museum
On May 3rd, the Jaune Quick-to-See Smith exhibition opens at Saint Louis Art Museum. The exhibition will highlight Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s works from the Museum collection. As one of the most celebrated contemporary artists of Indigenous heritage, this exhibition will span Smith’s career and draw attention to her work in St. Louis.
The exhibition marks the SLAM debut for State Names Map: Cahokia and Trade Canoe: Cahokia, a recent painting and sculpture Smith created in 2023 for the Counterpublic triennial in St. Louis. Based on two of her long-running series, the painting and sculpture respond to deep histories of cross-cultural trade and Indigenous displacement associated with the St. Louis region. Early pastels by Smith and a series of prints from the mid-1990s, many of which the artist made in St. Louis at Washington University’s Island Press, provide a long view of the artist’s career.
Joined by her son, artist Neal Ambrose Smith, on Saturday, May 4th, at 11 a.m. in the Museum’s Farrell Auditorium, Jaune Quick-to-See Smith will speak about her wide-ranging artistic practice, highlighting the two artworks the Museum recently acquired.
About Counterpublic
Actively engaged with both its neighbors in St. Louis and national conversations on the role of contemporary art, Counterpublic is a 501c3 nonprofit that aims to be a beacon of creative thinking and community engagement—an inclusive art platform that expands social, political, and civic horizons. Working in public places, cultural institutions, historic houses, and community gathering spaces, Counterpublic commissions dozens of artists, collectives, and community organizers to make and present works in St. Louis that engage the city’s histories and imagine new futures. The three month festival also includes active education, research, residencies, performances, publications, public projects, and commissions. For more information, visit counterpublic.org.
