Evidence of the persistence of the "frontier mentality" in the US today

John Nieto – “Fancy Dancer”
The history of the West within modern day society can be interpreted in many controversial ways through past writings, images and myth’s of which have presented an imaginative portrayal of a once perceived desolate land available for opportunity. Yet, in particular, images and paintings are of great importance in gaining a thorough understanding of the West, or the “untamed land” as it was also named. John Nieto, an artist within the 21st century whose family history descends from Native American’s, provides a modern interpretation of the west and the importance of understanding America’s roots and identity, as well as the influence which it has had to create such as diverse culture. His paintings are embellished with bright, bold, blocks of colour in order to represent the West in a perplexing way in order to gain a reaction from the audience. The painting above is one piece of art collaborated by Nieto named “Fancy Dancer”, yet something of great importance is where the audiences focus lies which in particular is how the subject is represented in a somewhat beautiful manner whereby this particular Indian of which would be seen to exist within the untamed land and a threat to the expansion of the Frontier, is in fact reflected in a different light to show his deity and the detailing and beauty of the Indian culture and character. Yet, we may also see within this painting, a form of myth and imagination surrounding the Natives with which we make assumptions and exaggerations as to the real existence of the Indian culture and whether historical accusations are indeed correct. The importance of this painting is therefore to ensure the American identity is never forgotten.