A woven American flag with a "USA" in the blue field and diamonds instead of stars. Diné Weaver, USA flag, late 19th century. Handspun wool, vegetal and native dyes. The New York Historical, Promised gift of Agnes Hsu-Tang and Oscar Tang, The Hsu-Tang Collection

House Made of Dawn: Art by Native Americans 1880 to Now, Selections from the Hsu-Tang Collection

April 22, 2026 - August 16, 2026

Explore a landmark exhibition that showcases distinct artistic expressions and practices of modernism by artists of diverse Indigenous heritage.

In celebration of the nation’s approaching semiquincentennial, The New York Historical has received a landmark collection of promised gifts of modern and contemporary Indigenous works from Chair Dr. Agnes Hsu-Tang and her husband Oscar Tang. As the first beneficiary of a portion of the Hsu-Tang Collection of modern and contemporary art, The New York Historical will showcase the promised gifts in an exhibition featuring diverse mediums of paintings, watercolors, sculptures, prints and drawings, photography, textiles, baskets, mixed media, ceramics, glass, precious metal, and rare books.

Named after the 1969 Pulitzer-winning novel House Made of Dawn by N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa) that inspired the formation of the Native American portion of the Hsu-Tang Collection, the exhibition presents distinct artistic expressions and practices of modernism by artists of diverse Indigenous heritage, beginning with late-19th century and early-20th century artists: ceramists Nampeyo of Hano (Tewa) and Maria Martinez (San Ildefonso), professional painters and illustrators Angel De Cora (Ho-Chunk) and Hart Lone Wolf Schultz (Blackfeet), and poet and opera composer Zitkala-Ša (Yankton Dakota).

The exhibition introduces seminal works on paper by early artists such as Awa Tsireh, Stephen Mopope of the Kiowa Six, and others who invented and advanced the “Flat Style” and achieved international recognition including at the 1932 Venice Biennale. It also features a pair of mid-20th century works by modernist pioneers Oscar Howe (Yanktonai Dakota) and George Morrison (Ojibwe), and works by Jaune Quick-to-See-Smith (Salish) and Emmi Whitehorse (Navajo), who formed the groundbreaking collective Grey Canyon Artists (1977–1981).

The exhibition also brings to light the artistic accomplishments of three generations of teachers and students, Fritz Scholder (Luiseño), N. Scott Momaday (Kiowa), Allan Houser (Apache), T.C. Cannon (Kiowa), Earl Biss (Crow), Linda Lomahaftewa (Hopi), Billy Soza War Soldier (Luiseño), Joy Harjo (Muscogee), Dam Namingha (Hopi), David Bradley (Chippewa), Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), Diego Romero (Cochiti), Frank Buffalo Hyde (Onondaga), and many others, who propelled the Institute of American Indian Arts, known as IAIA, to become a leading force in contemporary American art today.

Additionally, the exhibition marks the first-time important works by photography pioneer Lee Marmon (Laguna) are exhibited at a New York museum, including a rare first edition of his iconic 1954 image White Man’s Moccasins. The exhibition is curated by Wendy Nālani E. Ikemoto (Native Hawaiian), vice president and chief curator, in consultation with Dr. Hsu-Tang as collector.

Exhibitions at The New York Historical are made possible by the Saunders Trust for American History, the Evelyn & Seymour Neuman Fund, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. WNET is the media sponsor.