Yet With a Steady Beat

The artwork

Native American hand drums, civil rights activism, music, and contemporary design assemble in a vibrant installation about community and collective power. Gibson reimagines the drum as a visual object, imagining drum heads decorated with slogans—some inspired by real social justice movements. For the artist, drumming represents a way to summon ancestors, create connection, and bring people together through shared energy and purpose. Set against colorful bands of wallpaper designed by Gibson, the installation reflects the many voices, histories, and movements that continue to shape American culture.

Location: Museum | Level 5

(Museum Entry Ticket Required)

The artist

Jeffrey Gibson, a member of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and of Cherokee descent, grew up in the United States and abroad. His work brings together elements of Native American traditions with contemporary art, often drawing on pattern, text, and material culture. Gibson studied at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the Royal College of Art in London. He lives and works in Hudson, New York.