Poster House presents Indigenous poster design exhibition

Poster House in New York City is hosting “Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Poster Works,” an exhibition curated by Brian Johnson of the Monacan Indian Nation. Running through February 21, 2027, the showcase spans over 100 years of visual history, aiming to challenge colonialist narratives by highlighting the continuous influence of Indigenous perspectives in design.

The exhibition features a diverse range of works, including protest art from the 1970s, such as pieces related to the occupation of Alcatraz and opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline. It also addresses social issues like the awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women. Conversely, the collection includes works celebrating “Indigenous Joy,” such as a 1990s census campaign and a tribute to the Marvel cinematic universe.

Contemporary artists featured in the exhibition include Kent Monkman, Jeffrey Gibson, and SIYO-WIN. The show is organized into sections including “Creative Sovereignty,” “Resistance and Protest,” and “Extractive Marketing.” Johnson has also authored an accompanying book titled “Designed to Be Red: Native American & Indigenous Graphic Works.”