Roy Lichtenstein’s American Indian Theme IV, 1980, presents a stylised face that recalls the vertical structure of a carved totem or mask like form. The central figure appears as though cut from a plank of wood, rendered in red and white with a visible wood grain effect running through the centre of the composition. Along the left side, individual carved strands extend outward from the panel, suggesting the rough texture of wood. At the centre of the composition a face emerges, with two small square openings forming the eyes. A cross shaped cut marks the nose, while an inverted spiked shape below suggests the mouth, reinforcing the carved, graphic character of the image.
To the right of the figure, a flowing yellow shape weaves through the composition, reminiscent of stylised hair or decorative ornament. The combination of wood texture, simplified facial features, and bold geometric forms reflects Lichtenstein’s interest in translating sculptural or carved imagery into the flat language of printmaking. Created using woodcut and lithograph on handmade Suzuki paper, American Indian Theme IV forms part of Lichtenstein’s American Indian Theme series from 1980, in which the artist reinterprets Indigenous inspired motifs through bold colour, strong outlines, and graphic abstraction.