War Eagle 'Wanmdi Kecizapi'. Labeled by early historians as Yankton Sioux, War Eagle posed for the photographer wearing war shirt of the old style, quilled arm and shoulder bands, holding a tacked and quilled pipe. Prominent Sioux warriors were known to wear buffalo horn bonnets during dances and on war parties. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
Isaac Bignell is a Cree artist from The Pas Reserve, 400 miles north of Winnipeg, MB. After leaving The Pas, Isaac has lived in Winnipeg, Minneapolis and Vancouver. Basically a self-taught artist, Isaac has developed various techniques to achieve a distinctive artistic style which combines traditional images with innovative design and color combinations.
Series
59/99
Description
This limited edition print has been individually hand colored in acrylic by the artist, which gives each print an original quality.
"Beardy's brilliant application of color is drawn from his dreams. The geography of his paintings is a blend of the visible universe and the invisible powers that animate the visible, and give it life and meaning. The time in which the works are set is mythological time, before history. The paintings are not separate from the major themes of Jackson's life and in fact parallel his own growth and spiritual development. They dealt not only with the mysteries of matter but also with those of creation and life; they sought to harmonize the human individual with the universe, Jackson's alchemy is performed between two socio-political worlds. He struggled to be effective and to balance his own life between two powerful unseen Manitou forces." (Colleen Cutschall, p. 22)
Only weeks after they had been ordered by Agent McLaughlin (center) to arrest Sitting Bull as an attempt to calm the growing unrest from the Messiah Craze (Ghost Dance), the Sioux police pose victoriously for Barry's camera. The arrest attempt was disastrous, resulting in the deaths of six Indian police, Sitting Bull, his son Crow Foot and eight of Crow's followers. The panic which followed culminated in the infamous Wounded Knee affair two weeks later. Red Tomahawk (front center) killed Sitting Bull. (Harbaugh, P., 1982)
