Protect Us by Thy Might

2002

Tom Jones

Associated Names
Tom Jones

Artist, Ho-Chunk Nation, born 1964

The image shows a group of Native American individuals outdoors in a grassy field. The people are standing and some crouching, engaged in a traditional dance or ceremony. The individuals wear elaborate feathered headdresses, braided or tied hair with feathers, and traditional clothing featuring beadwork, patterned fabrics, fringes, and feathers. They hold staffs and other ceremonial items, wear necklaces, and beads. In the background, there is an open field with some structures or people distant. An American flag is visible above the people, and text reads "Protect us by Thy might" in the sky area. The photograph is labeled "INDIAN WAR DANCE, RISE PHOTO RAPID CITY S.D." at the bottom, and a handwritten note states, "Native Americans send proportionally more of their people off to war more than any other group in America."
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On View

West Building Ground Floor, Gallery G26

Artwork overview

  • Medium

    inkjet print, black ink, acrylic paint and porcupine quills

  • Credit Line

    Alfred H. Moses and Fern M. Schad Fund

  • Dimensions

    image/sheet: 66.04 × 96.52 cm (26 × 38 in.)
    framed: 69.85 × 100.33 cm (27 1/2 × 39 1/2 in.)

  • Accession Number

    2025.4.1.14

  • Series Title

    Dear America

Associated Artworks

See all 15 artworks
The image displays an upper half view of a man's body, capturing him from the waist up. He is in a forward-leaning pose with his arms bent at the elbows, fists clenched near his sides. His facial expression is determined, and he has short, wavy hair. He is wearing dark swim trunks. The background depicts a stormy ocean scene with large crashing waves. The overall image has a vintage aesthetic, with a sepia-toned seascape behind the man. The words "Dear America" are written over the image, "Dear" in the top left corner and "America" along the bottom center of the photo.

Dear America

Tom Jones

2002

The image shows three individuals in varied poses. On the left, a young woman stands near a tree with an American flag in the background. In the center, an elderly woman sits holding a cane. On the right, a young woman stands wrapped in a shawl. The background shows a lakeside setting with water, boats, and trees. Text at the top reads, "My Country 'tis of thee," and text at the bottom says, "THESE COLORS WILL NOT RUN."

My Country, 'Tis of Thee

Tom Jones

2002

This is a photograph of a group of people standing in front of a shelter made from branches and a person holding an animal. The photo is composed of an old sepia-toned group photo and a modern black-and-white image on the right. The group is dressed in attire suggestive of traditional or ceremonial clothing, and they are gathered beneath a structure made of logs and natural materials. To the right side, a person is holding an animal. In the background, handwritten text provides historical context, referencing an event involving a mass execution and the United States government. Below the text, the phrase "SWEET LAND OF LIBERTY" is prominently displayed. Overall, the image is a collage that combines historical imagery with textual elements.

Sweet Land of Liberty

Tom Jones

2002

Artwork history & notes

Provenance

Tom Jones, Prairie du Sac, WI; NGA purchase, 2025.

Associated Names

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