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L to R: Brent Greenwood, Shan Goshorn, Holly Wilson, Tom Poolaw, and Gerald Cournoyer
Creating work based on traditional teachings to inspire wellness
September 26 to November 20, 2010
cover image: courtesy of Steve Barse (group photo)
The mission of the UI5 is to educate and promote Indian health and wellness through art, symbology, and traditional ceremony. The artists and affiliated clinic acknowledges these as vital elements of native life, both on the reservation and in the urban dwelling. The unique melding of art and health allows healing in an unconventional way by addressing traditional values through a contemporary vision. The artwork will be on display at the Southern Plains Indian Museum through November 20, 2010. Prices for artwork for sale during the exhibit may be obtained from the Oklahoma Arts and Crafts Cooperative gift shop, 1-405-247-3486, located in the Museum. The Southern Plains Indian Museum is operated by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior. For hours of operation call 1-405-247-6221.
Tom Poolaw
Eyes #2
16” x 12”
Acrylic on masonite
©2007 Tom Poolaw
“The journey must be exciting and inspired. I want to produce something nearer to poetry than documentation.” Tom Poolaw, Kiowa and Delaware
“As a youth during the late 1960’s and1970’s, I was heavily influenced by the American Indian artists of southwest Oklahoma and the photography of Horace Poolaw. In 1980 I began studying art at the University of Oklahoma, Norman. I work with acrylic paints and more recently, digital images. The focus of my work is the process. I choose formats and situations that encourage spontaneity and experimentation. The subject matter of my work reflects who I am and where I come from. I express my experience in a contemporary manner. My goal is to create work that reflects the state of today’s Native American individual; complex, modern and spiritual.” Tom earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, Norman. Tom can be contacted at poolawpaint@yahoo.com
Brent Greenwood
Native Flag
41.5” x 31.5”
Acrylic, beads on cowhide
©2008 Brent Greenwood
“I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I finish a piece. The connection made between the art and viewer is my reward. I paint because that is life; just like a bird sings its morning song, I paint.” Brent Greenwood, Chickasaw and Ponca
“I am primarily an acrylic paint and mixed media artist. I try to create depth and emotion in my work through the process of layering paint, washes, drips and spatters onto the canvas. I incorporate early tribal history into my paintings through the use of traditional designs and imagery but infuse them with new life by choosing to apply this imagery according to the emotions and responses they arouse in me. Much of my inspiration comes from my family. Singing is a large part of my creative being. I take pride in singing my Ponca songs at dances and in church.” Brent earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from Oklahoma City University. Brent can be contacted at gwoodstudio@yahoo.com
Shan Goshorn
Caress
20” x 20”
Acrylic paint on canvas giclee
©2009 Shan Goshorn
“True healing can only happen through the mutual respect and acknowledgment of each other’s humanity.” Shan Goshorn, Eastern Band Cherokee
“My art has always been a source of personal healing, a place where I can work through challenges and process ideas. I try to work with deliberate intention and prayer to bring health and balance to myself and to others. I draw inspiration and strength from the natural world around me. For many of my corporate commissions, my goal is to get busy people in a work environment to slow down and take a deep cleansing breath. I want to create a space where people can realize the healing benefits of viewing artwork that calms the mind and calms the heartbeat, whether it is my interpretation of a scenic view or of traditional teachings.” Shan studied at the Cleveland Institute of Art and earned a bachelor of fine arts degree from the Atlanta College of Art. More of Shan’s work can be seen at www.shangoshorn.com
Gerald Cournoyer
Balanced
38.5 x 40”
Acrylic on canvas
©2008 Gerald Cournoyer
“In accordance with Lakota cosmology, the repetition of song and prayer bring our people closer to the supernatural beings which guide us throughout our lives. I transmit the importance of repetition in my compositions to induce a trance-like state in the viewer, bring the soul closer to this particular enlightenment.” Gerald Cournoyer, Oglala Lakota
“My current works incorporate a technique developed by an artist over thirty years ago and that I’ve rediscovered. This process creates a distinct high gloss finish and allows me to progressively build depth and three-dimensional imagery to pull the viewer into my creation. As an artist, I strive to bridge the gap between traditional Lakota art and contemporary movements by using traditional symbols in a contemporary fashion. My work has expanded from stylized ledger art and figurative Indian portraits to an exploration of patterns found in Lakota quillwork and large nonfigurative expanses of color and form. When a piece is completed, I pray over the painting using my ceremonial pipe, blowing smoke directly onto the painting. The painting carries the prayer with it wherever it goes.” Gerald earned a master of fine arts degree from the University of Oklahoma, Norman.
Holly Wilson
Cigar Girl Walking
12.5” x 5” x 4”
Bronze encaustic & wood
©2009 Holly Wilson
“The small scale figurative bronzesembody the shared stories and dreams I have with my family and my Delaware/Cherokee heritage. The fragments of nature, culture, and family hold the hope, sadness, fear, and joy that are intertwined in the work.” Holly Wilson, Delaware
“It starts with seeing something in my life that strikes a cord; the interaction of people, both real and imagined, and the way my daughter and son sit differently to look at an object on the ground. The stories of present and past, of dreams and nature are realized through the use of the figure. There are other elements; the way a certain stick looks like a bird in flight or the inside of a geode rock and the amazement of my son when he saw that for the first time. These all begin to intersect and the work grows from the many elements seen, found, remembered, or felt.” Holly earned a master of fine arts degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches, Texas. More of Holly’s work can be seen at www.hollywilson.com
Southern Plains Indian Museum Related Pages:
Click on one of the following to view information on the Southern Plains Indian Museum.
- Current Exhibitions
- Previous Exhibitions
- Locations, Hours of Operation, Admission Fees and Additional Information Page
- Rosemary Ellison Gallery
- Local Events
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