Cigar Store Indian

Cigar Store Indian is a life-size steel sculpture of an indian standing by a lawn chair smoking a cigarette. The figure stands on a rounded steel plate resembling the base of a plastic toy commonly manufactured by Marx Toys in the mid 20th century. By making the figure full-scale the viewer confronts and sees through a cultural stereotype both literally and metaphorically. The “red man” is clearly placed in a mid-century contemporary setting with an allusion of relaxed comfort as he leans on a classic 1950’s patio armchair, while holding a contemporary cigarette. 

The head of the indian is taken from a buffalo head nickel. The indian on the nickel designed by James Earle Fraser is a contrived image designed as a composite of three chiefs, thus demonstrating a disregard for individual identity in preference for a composite image to represent all Indians. 

A second figure is alluded to by the placement of a hat on the arm of the chair. The indian is connected to the chair by his hand but the chair remains claimed as evidenced by the hat on the arm. The second figure not present, adds ambiguity to the scene. The indian looks to the horizon. Is this a movie set, a play, an advertisement? Whatever the setting, it too is a contrivance. 

The blatant stereotypes of “red man”, “cigar store indian”, and stage set clothing provide the facade through which the viewer consciously or unconsciously is led to confront deeper cultural influences. Line drawing construction provide form, space and shadow in equal measure. The implication of figures out of view allude to cultural mythologies that lie just below our collective

 social fabric.