This month the American Indian Center opened up the Trickster Gallery in Schaumberg--the one and only Native-run contemporary fine arts institution run in the State of Illinois. It will showcase contemporary Native American artists while shattering deconstructive images that result in misconceptions of Native Peoples. They will step away from museum practices of cultural objectification and instead present Native perspectives and ideals on contemporary society.

Their current show, Dissipating Indians, features a handful of contemporary Native American artists--several artists had some interesting pieces displayed including Athabaskan Inupiaq's Erica Lord's eery self-portraits. Upon first glance it just looks like a 12 portraits of women ranging in age and social backgrounds from Indian princess, clueless W.A.S.P. hippie, good-old tomboy, intensely dark temptress, and bilious teenager. But upon closer inspection, some of the portraits look like they might be the same person. Then inspecting ever closer, it becomes shocking that these are all of the same person.

Erica Lord takes Cyndi Sherman's work to another level. While Sherman would photograph herself in many cinemaesque shots, it was always apparent that it was Sherman behind her shots. But Erica Lord's portraits are just straight up head/shoulder portraits and they all look so much like different people--some thin and some fat (Erica sticking her neck out to look thin or pulling her chin in and down to look heavier).

The show is worth the trip to Schaumberg just to see this one collection of 12 photos. But there are a couple other artists on display that hold interest as well.

The Trickster Gallery, at 190 S. Roselle Rd. in Schaumburg's Town Square. Gallery hours will be from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday. Admission will be $5 for adults and $2 for children, seniors and the disabled. 773-275-5871. Dissipating Indians will up until August 19, 2005.