The Elinor and Vincent Ostrom Collection
The Elinor and Vincent Ostrom Collection is unique in its contents as well as the way it was collected. Having founded the Workshop in Political Theory and Policy Analysis at Indiana University in 1973 (celebrating their 50th anniversary this year!), Elinor and Vincent went on to explore experimental methodologies. In 2009, Elinor Ostrom was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. Spending their summers on Manitoulin Island, Elinor and Vincent gained an appreciation for the local indigenous art and crafts and began to collect some of the more awe-inspiring and remarkable pieces like the birch bark box pictured above(2015-03-0136). The Ostroms always held a special interest in both traditional and contemporary work by North American Indians.
Interested in more?
View more detailed records on our digital exhibit website:
Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Collection
Click "Items in the Vincent and Elinor Ostrom Collection" about halfway down the page to see all 51 pieces!
Collection Highlights
Screenprints
The paintings featured in the collection were all painted by the same artist, Eleanor Kanasawe, and allow for the spread of the Anishinaabeg traditions. These works of art serve as visual representations of legends that are prevalent in the history of the Ojibwe people. It is but one way they preserve and transmit their spiritual heritage beyond oral and written tradition. Kanasawe's painting style can be considered part of the second generation of "Woodland style" of Legend Painting.
"Raccoon" (2015.03.0166); "Cardinal" (2015.03.0160); "Turtles" (2015.03.0155)
Birch Boxes
The Ostrom Collection also has an array of handmade birch bark boxes made by the Ojibwe women. Each box holds a distinctive design, and the intricacies are a combination of hand dyed porcupine quills and intricate weaving patterns. The birch boxes made in both round and rectangular shapes are significantly exceptional as well as the skill and techniques used to create them.
"Round lidded birch bark box with raccoon quillwork" (2015.03.0146); "Birch bark box with fox quillwork" (2015.03.0144); "Rectangular birch bark box with hinged lid" (2015.03.0134)
Baskets
The Ostrom Collection has a variety of baskets made by artists from Manitoulin Island, the Pacific Northwest, and Alaska among others.
Woven hamper (2015.03.0023); Fuchsia and green basket with fiber handles (2015.03.0024); Small round lidded basket with black and red diamond pattern (2015.03.0013)