The Legacy of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith: A Visionary in Native American Art

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was born in 1940 in St. Ignatius, Montana (USA), and was an enrolled member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be an artist, a passion she pursued throughout her life, beginning in the 1970s. As a painter, printmaker, and mixed-media artist, her artwork blends contemporary and traditional motifs to speak on themes of identity, history, and social justice. Through her art practice, which often critiques colonialism and environmental issues while exploring Indigenous identity, she created a platform for Native voices and inspired other artists to do the same. She carved a powerful legacy in the art world as one of the most prominent female Native American artists of our time and is best known for her bold, expressive works that combined abstract and figurative styles.

Smith was the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, including the Academy of Arts and Letters’ Jimmy Ernst Award and the Women’s Caucus for Art Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition, she received honorary doctorates from institutions such as the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her artwork is in the collections of many museums and has been included in over 100 exhibitions. These accolades underscore her influence as both an artist and as an advocate for Native communities.
Throughout her career, Smith remained a powerful advocate for Native artists through her work as an artist, curator, mentor, and activist. She curated exhibitions that showcased Indigenous artists, such as The Submuloc Show/Columbus Wohs (1992), which was a visual commentary on the 500th anniversary of Columbus’s arrival, specifically through the lens of Indigenous peoples.

As one of the first Native American women to have a retrospective at the Whitney Museum (2023), Smith broke many barriers, paving the way for future Indigenous artists to gain recognition in major institutions. Her lifelong dedication to promoting Native artists has helped increase their visibility in mainstream galleries, museums, and the broader art world. Smith played a crucial role in helping museums and collectors acquire works by Native artists, ensuring their representation in permanent collections. Collaborating with major institutions, including the Smithsonian, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Whitney Museum, to push for the acquisition and exhibition of Native art, as well as direct funding toward Indigenous art programs and initiatives.

She raised funds for Indigenous art initiatives and donated her own work to support scholarships and programs benefiting Native communities. Smith’s support was felt across many tribes as she influenced, mentored, and advocated for artists such as Marie Watt, Wendy Red Star, Rose B. Simpson, Kay WalkingStick, Rick Bartow, and Emmi Whitehorse, to name a few.

As her acclaim continues to grow in the art world, we are seeing a rise in the value of her art on the auction market. There has been a remarkable upward trajectory in recent years on the secondary market for Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s work. As collectors increasingly seek out artists who address important social and cultural issues, Smith’s pieces have become highly sought-after. Works like Trade (Gifts for Trading Land with White People) from 1992 have garnered attention for their bold commentary on colonialism and cultural commodification, while smaller works have steadily gained value at auction. For collectors, this upward trend represents not only an opportunity to invest in a celebrated artist but also a chance to own a piece of cultural and historical significance.

She was living in Corrales, New Mexico until her death on Friday, January 24, 2025. She died at home, at the age of 85 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer. The news of Smith’s death was announced by Garth Greenan Gallery, which has represented the artist since 2017.

Slated to open only days after her death, is the exhibition “Indigenous Identities: Here, Now & Always” at the Zimmerli Art Museum in New Jersey, curated by Smith. It features over 100 pieces of contemporary Native American art. This exhibition opened on February 1st and runs until December 21, 2025. This final contribution to the art world demonstrates her integral role in the Indigenous Arts community.

One intriguing aspect of Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s career is the evolution of her signature. Typically, her signature is missing the crucial element to her name as she does not include “Quick-to-See”, signing only as Jaune Smith. This discrepancy risks her name recognition and contributes to the potential for oversight. Over the years, her signature has also changed in style and form, presenting more challenges in authenticating her work. Early pieces may bear a different signature than those created later in her career, making provenance and expert verification essential for buyers and collectors.

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