The Autry Museum of the American West was started by Gene Autry, the singing cowboy. When he started it in the 1980’s it was about celebrating the cowboys and the opening of the West. Today that isn’t politically correct, so the museum goes out of it’s way to celebrate ‘the natives’. Don’t get me started, if you haven’t figured out by now, the last thing I am is politically correct. At least when it comes to art and artifacts – they do a good job, despite the message.
I’m sure each of these paintings have some ‘deep’ meaning, I don’t care, I enjoy the bright colors, the hand of the artist. I am so tired of ‘art’ having to have a strong political message, I want art to be uplifting – please stop dragging me down.
Which is why I prefer things like this. This vest is beaded, that isn’t thread embroidery. And cultural appropriate – this is a great example. Beads and images of flowers are European. Many Indians learned the craft and have made it there own. As it should be, cultures enriching each other, becoming better through the process.
Basket weaving was a strong tradition among the tribes native to California. With the abundance of resources here, they pretty much remained hunter gatherers – so baskets are a necessity. It’s nice when they can become art. No basket that was used in everyday life would have these feather, or be this small. It is wonderful when people can turn from substance to art.
Another way of incorporating feathers. The Artist is Mabel McKay of the Pomo Tribe. A true basket artist, a pleasure to see her body of work. 
Even she included beads in her work.
Not all new work acquired by the museum in made by ‘natives’. I love everything about this iron horse. When car becomes horse.
There seems to be a whole genre of artists who make horses out of interesting materials. One of the things I love is the bright colors of the cars and how well they have survived. Automotive paints is a world unto itself.
Even newer cars that are still operational. I parked next to this Thunderbird. I have friends who would come up with very creative names for this car.
The yellow continues inside, from the leather to gear shift. FUN!
The cowboy isn’t completely lost, thank God. The museum owns some Remington cowboys and has acquired many newer artists who are working in the same vein.
There are many old artifacts, like spurs.
highly decorated guns.
A wall of badges. Sorry, my images aren’t very clear, I’m taking pictures through glass.
Many are the six-pointed star.
Then there is the combination 8 point with a five point in the middle, must be from Texas.
I sat for a while watching and listening to Gene Autry sing his wonderful songs, yes Back in the Saddle again was one of them.
There was also a great photography exhibit, no photos allowed. Which is fine, because taking a photo of a photo really doesn’t work. Great Western photographers like Ansel Adams and Edward Weston among others. I think the exhibit is closing soon. 
They had a photobooth, because who doesn’t have one of those these days! Nice image, but certainly not art!
Leah