Biography

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith (1940–2025) was a prominent Native American artist known for her work as a painter, printmaker, and curator. Born into the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, she also had Métis and Shoshone heritage. Throughout her career, Smith was celebrated for her ability to weave together elements of Native American identity, cultural history, and contemporary issues, particularly focusing on themes of oppression and environmental concerns. Smith's artistic journey began in the 1970s, where she initially gained recognition for her painting and printmaking. Over time, she expanded her repertoire to include collage, drawing, and mixed media, creating a diverse body of work that has been showcased in over 50 solo exhibitions. Her pieces are part of the permanent collections of major institutions such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. In 2020, her painting "I See Red: Target" was acquired by the National Gallery of Art, marking a significant milestone as the first painting on canvas by a Native American artist in the gallery. Smith's contributions to art and her advocacy for Native American culture have made her an influential figure in the art world, with her works highly sought after by collectors and museums alike.