About
Dyani White Hawk fuses Lakota beadwork traditions with abstraction at the Whitney — luminous, cross-cultural painting.
Dyani White Hawk paints across two inheritances at once — the geometry and labor of Lakota beadwork and quillwork, and the vocabulary of American abstraction — and her Whitney show Nourish makes their meeting glow. Up close, the surfaces shimmer with painstaking, hand-built detail that photographs can't convey. If you want contemporary work that's both gorgeous and grounded in real cultural depth, this is one of the Whitney's quiet highlights this summer.
What to expect
Expect paintings and mixed-media works that fuse beadwork-derived pattern with abstraction, rewarding close looking for their handmade detail and shifting light. The mood is luminous and contemplative. Included with your Whitney ticket.
Good to know
- The L to Eighth Avenue or A/C/E to 14th Street
- Included with Whitney admission, with the Biennial and Warhol shows
- Get close — the shimmering, beadwork-inspired surfaces reward it
- Free Friday evenings and second Sundays get crowded
- Strong pick for fans of contemporary and Indigenous art
Common questions
What traditions does the work draw on?
Sicangu Lakota beadwork and quillwork traditions, fused with modern abstraction.
Is it included with admission?
Yes, it's covered by Whitney admission.