Museum spotlights connection between Matisse and Alaskan Natives

An assortment of Yup'ik masks made by Alaskan Natives are displayed at the Heard Museum AP 

Nearly 64 years after his death, Henri Matisse has become one of the few non-Native Americans to have an exhibition at a Phoenix museum dedicated to Native culture.

The little-known intersection of one of the 20th century's greatest artists and the Inuit people is at the heart of a show opening Monday at the Heard Museum.

Yua: Henri Matisse and the Inner Arctic Spirit will feature Matisse's portraits of the Inuit, which have not been displayed in the US

The French artist will share the spotlight with those who influenced him.

Yup'ik masks made by Alaskan Natives, some of which were collected by Matisse's son-in-law, are just as much a part of the exhibit.

Curators say the Heard will be the only place to showcase the unconventional pairing.

The show runs until February 3, 2019.

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