Jaune Quick-To-See Smith

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith, born in 1940 on the Flathead Indian Reservation in St. Ignatius, Montana, is of Salish, French-Cree, and Shoshone descent. Growing up with an amateur painter as a father, her works often reflect childhood landscapes and memories, particularly of her horse, “Cheyenne.” Smith earned a B.A. in Art Education from Framingham State College in 1976 and an M.F.A. from the University of New Mexico in 1980. She began her artistic career in her 30s, founding artists’ groups, curating exhibitions, and organizing protests for Native American rights. Her artwork explores the myths of her ancestors while addressing contemporary issues faced by American Indians, using paint, collage, and appropriated imagery. Influenced by artists like Picasso, Klee, and Rauschenberg, Smith views herself as a bridge builder between communities. Her awards include the Joan Mitchell Foundation Award (1996), a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Caucus for the Arts (1997), and an Eiteljorg Fellowship (1999).