Jeffrey Gibson's work is undeniably upbeat and vibrant in its use of color and form, yet there is more going on than just these pleasing minimalist color combinations, which in themselves are captivating. Gibson is half Cherokee and a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, adding weight to his use of animal hide as opposed to canvas for his acrylic paintings. His appropriated Everlast bags too become seemingly akin to a symbol of American domination and brute force, that which ultimately decimated Native American peoples and culture. While the esthetic is playful, the semantic in Gibson's work is obviously serious. His attentive use of materials becomes a poetic dance around these issues illuminating a dialogue around the contemporary American/Native American artist without ever seeming blunt or ham-handed about it.

Jeffrey Gibson‘s work is on view at Marc Straus Gallery (299 Grand Street, Lower East Side, Manhattan) through December 23.
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