Jaune Quick-to-See Smith creates images that intertwine Native American and European imagery. Drawing from both her Native American background and European artistic influences, Smith comments on subjects such as the destruction of the environment, the oppression of Native American cultures, and cultural identity. Ceci N’est Pas Une Peace Pipe is a continuation of this narrative that combines familiar cultural symbols with the artistic symbol of the well-known painting by René Magritte titled The Betrayal of Images carrying the text “Ceci n’est pas une pipe.” Smith received her Master’s degree in 1980 and her work has been widely exhibited and collected by private and public collectors.

Deeply connected to her heritage, Smith’s work addresses the myths of her ancestors in the context of current issues and problems facing Native Americans. She works in paint, collage, and mixed media, using a combination of representational and abstract images to confront such subjects as the destruction of the environment, governmental oppression of Native American cultures, and the pervasive myths of American cultural identity.