Trading Woman

Trading Woman, 1985, by R.C. Gorman presents a woman in lavender-mauve garments surrounded by the material culture of trade: turquoise-beaded necklaces, woven textiles, painted pottery, and traditional adornments spread before her on a pale stone palette. The figure’s hands are positioned as if examining or arranging these treasures, suggesting commerce, stewardship, and the continuity of craft traditions. The warm peachy background and the cool turquoise accents create chromatic harmony. The work celebrates women’s economic agency and their role as custodians of cultural wealth. The 1985 lithograph demonstrates Gorman’s mature ability to combine portraiture, still life, and cultural documentation into a single compelling image. Essential for collectors interested in indigenous women’s history and economic narratives.