Indianapolis, IN – The Eiteljorg Museum is thrilled to announce the addition of three captivating artworks by esteemed photojournalist Ivan McClellan to its permanent collection. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the museum generously invited the public to a special unveiling event and an engaging evening filled with insightful discussions, a VIP preview reception, and an exclusive book signing. The event took place on Wednesday, February 28th.
Ivan McClellan, a New York Times photojournalist and Kansas City native, has made significant contributions to the recognition and understanding of Black cowboy culture. His dedication to documenting the unique subculture began during his coverage of the Roy LeBlanc Invitational Rodeo, the oldest annual Black rodeo in the United States. This long-term project began a seven-year journey that took McClellan across the country and introduced him to lifelong friends. From rodeos to ranches, he documents the lives of these extraordinary people. This work has shed light on Black cowboy culture, elevating their stories in popular media. McClellan’s work not only disrupts common perceptions, but also celebrates this newly found part of his identity. The book’s title refers to the sport of bull riding where athletes must stay on a bull for eight seconds while it tries to throw them off; the more frantic the ride, the higher the rider’s score. His ‘Eight Seconds Project’ aims to broaden the cowboy icon to feature people of color, ensuring their integral role in Western heritage is acknowledged and celebrated.
The event that evening featured a VIP preview reception exclusively for museum members. The reception offered members an opportunity to join McClellan, Eiteljorg President and CEO Katie Haigh, and Curator of Western Art Johanna Blume as they unveiled McClellan’s three photographs which have been added to Eiteljorg’s permanent collection: Kortnee Solomon, Hempstead, Texas, 2020; Scrawney Brooks, Liberty, Texas, 2022; and Southside, Bristow, Oklahoma, 2021. The photograph ‘Scrawney Brooks’ will also be featured in the upcoming exhibition, “Acts of Faith: Religion and the American West,” at the Eiteljorg Museum this spring.
The evening continued with a talk by McClellan, where he delved into the inspiration behind his work and shared stories about Black cowboy culture. This was followed by a Q&A session, providing attendees with a chance to engage directly with the acclaimed photojournalist. McClellan told personal stories about some of the people in the photos, his family, and how growing up in Kansas City was an important foundation for his involvement with black rodeo culture. He also spoke about the importance of community, joy and respect for the rodeo athletes he has photographed and come to know over the years. The event concluded with a book signing for McClellan’s upcoming release, “Eight Seconds: Black Rodeo Culture”. The book is published by Damiani Books, available Spring 2024.
“The American Cowboy is an archetype. It lives in our collective consciousness representing the love of the land, care for its creatures, and the hard work that affords freedom. It is a romanticized analog in our digital age. Black women and men have been cowboying since the beginning and have a thriving culture today. Our aim is to elevate this culture through media and live events encouraging young people to continue this legacy.”
Ivan McClellan
The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, founded in 1989 by Indianapolis businessman Harrison Eiteljorg, focuses on inspiring appreciation and understanding of Indigenous peoples and the American West. Renowned for its collection, the museum features artists like T.C. Cannon and Andy Warhol, boasting one of the world’s best contemporary Native American art collections. As the only Midwest museum of its kind, it holds a unique position, cultivating a national reputation for premier cultural programs and exhibitions.
To learn more about Ivan McClellan, please visit his website – https://eightsecs.com/
Wobneb Magazine 