Kaale Uuts Beaded Purse

Description

Elias Jade Not Afraid created this purse in memory of his grandmother Edwina “UUT” Amyotte. A selftaught beader and fashion designer, Not Afraid infuses Apsáalooke beading techniques, color palettes, and geometric compositions with glam, punk, and eclectic aesthetics. He has created one-of-a-kind pieces, ready-to-wear lines, and accessories that have been featured in Vogue and worn by actress Lily Gladstone (Blackfeet). Not Afraid has emphasized that, “buying, supporting, and wearing Native artwork is cultural appreciation not appropriation.” Although you cannot appreciate it through the case, this purse smells like a campfire from the brain-tanned, smoked leather. Be sure to see the underside, which is covered in brass studs!

Provenance

The artist; sold to the Art Institute of Chicago, 2024.

Kaale Uuts Beaded Purse

Elias Jade Not Afraid

2024

Accession Number

273250

Medium

Antique and vintage glass seed beads on brain-tanned moose hide, with Italian leather, smoked brain-tanned deer hide, ermine pelts, brass spikes, vintage brass chains, brass bells, bull elk ivories, and found, antique, doctor's bag frame

Dimensions

19.5 × 40.4 × 13.8 cm (7 11/16 × 15 15/16 × 5 7/16 in.); With pelts: 57.7 × 40.4 × 13.8 cm (22 3/4 × 15 15/16 × 5 7/16 in.)

Classification

beadwork

Museum

The Art Institute of Chicago

Chicago, United States

Credit Line

Mrs. Leonard S. Florsheim Jr. Fund