T.C. Cannon, Two Guns Arikara, 1974–77. Photo by Thosh Collins

During his all-too-brief life, painter T.C. Cannon (1946–1978) became one of the most recognized Native American artists of the 20th century. Experience the depth and breadth of this influential figure at T.C. Cannon: At the Edge of America, now on display at the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem. Nearly 90 works—including 30 paintings, as well as works on paper, poetry and recorded music—that highlight Cannon’s signature Native American-meets-Post Impressionism style ably demonstrate the Vietnam War veteran’s wide range of interests. Often politically minded, Cannon’s work channels the turbulent environment of the era from which it sprang, no doubt making this ground-breaking show particularly relevant today.