
WAR CRY
Size: 24" H
Walnut and Granite Base
Handmade accoutrements and beading.
My intention when I designed War Cry was to create a horse that epitimized the defiance of the Lakota Sioux with the U.S. Goverment and the plan for forced relocation to reservations. The Lakota Sioux as well as other plains tribes were trying to maintain their free, nomadic lifestyle during the summer of 1876, when they were attacked by the 7th Calvary at the Little Big Horn. The war lance has been thrust into a red neck tie that was worn by the 7th Calvary troopers, in a show of defiance by the Lakota Sioux and to symbollize their defeat of the 7th Calvary that hot July day.
I have hand made all the accoutrements the horse is wearing,resembling period pieces that the Lakota Sioux would have used during the summer of 1876.
TRIBAL PAINT
Size: 7" H
Warriors from tribes across the Plains often wore feathers that were cut, marked and painted in ways that told visual stories of their accomplishments in battle. In this fashion they would sometimes intimidate opponents who would be scared away after “reading” the accomplishments related on the feathers. Sometimes they might become the target of a warrior who sought such encounters with powerful opponents as a way of gaining personal power.
Trail of Tears
Size: 7" H
This form is unique to Trail of Tears.
I knew when I created Wounded Knee that I wanted to create a Trail Of Tears piece that would touch people in the same way. To do this I had to tear apart the usual design form and reposition the front leg to give it a more faltering step, drop the head way down to show the struggle, changed the mane, tail and of course added the all important tear and Cherokee Rose. The meager belongings are wrapped over the shoulders to indicate the hurried exodus, forced by the Government for Tribal relocation in Oklahoma.