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• James Luna(Luiseño, Ipai, Puyukitchum, Mexican, 1950-2018)
• 1991
• Inkjet print on paper
• William Sr. and Dorothy Harmsen Collection at the Denver Art Museum, by exchange, 2009.773A-C

James Luna was a multi-faceted artist who used humor and wit to disarm audiences with his performances, photographs, and other forms of artistry. Luna’s work reflects his own struggles with identity in the face of racism and prejudices that he experienced as an Indigenous man and as a Mexican. These three portrait photographs question what identity is signaled by appearances such as hair length and how the viewer’s perception changes. Also, The artist suggests examining prejudices and expectations towards both Indigenous peoples and Mexicans within the American culture.