Artistic Cultural Interpretations
All Rights Reserved
We are showcasing sculptures of bronze, stone, pottery, glass, and other mediums to bring awareness to the extremely talented Native American artists who have been producing both traditional and contemporary sculptures for many decades.
Beginning with wood and stone in the early days, sculpture has evolved as man has found new ways to shape the elements of the earth. Bronze, iron, brass, and other metals rapidly emerged as those capabilities were invented.
Glass also assumed a strong role in the world of sculpture, when man discovered that applying heat to sand caused a chemical transformation that resulted in the ability to develop beautiful forms and colors.
Some of the early sculptures were drawn from utilitarian implements, such as pottery bowls and jars, and some were drawn by sculptors observing elements of nature.
Typically, a very detailed model of clay is first constructed, and then the foundry uses the model to reproduce the bronze sculpture.
Once the bronze is poured, the form is final and cannot be modified.
Choctaw
He was my father’s best friend, as the two grew up together in Southeastern Oklahoma.
As a result, we cherish the sculptures that Bob created, using Mother Earth and her wonders as inspiration.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The result is this fantastically realistic depiction of Hardy riding his horse, Jesse Bueno. The lasso moves; the reins appear as if in motion; and the rider sits effortlessly in the saddle moving with the horse.
The minute details are amazing - the fringe on the chaps, the stitching on the shirt, and the cattle brand on the chaps - and all emphasize the fine quality workmanship on this sculpture.
Bronze on wood base Number 1/1
17" x 19" x 8 ½"
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Although Bob authorized up to fifty copies to be made from his original work of this wonderful life like roadrunner, only a very few were made before his death.
Bronze on wood base Number 2/50
7 ½″ X 6 ¼″ X 4″
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Minute details are wonderfully captured through the spots on the fawn, the facial expression on the brave - even in the tiny detail of his fingernails.
Bronze on wood base Number 12/20
12″ X 11 1/2″ X 10
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Carol Bell was a natural artist with a gifted and sensitive hand. She created bronze sculptures with sensitivity and authenticity visually reflecting the essence and form of each creature. She worked with her husband Bob in searching for a better means of expression through sculpting.
Bronze on wood base Number 4/10
12 ½″ X 8″ X 5″
Hopi
She focuses on the Hopi culture where she was raised. Her Hopi women have no facial features, representing all Hopi women.
Using a careful acid wash, Kim’s sculptures attain many glorious colors reminiscent of the American Southwest.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Kim creates about five pieces a year. She first creates the piece in clay, and the casters then go to work. The colors on the bronze come from the metal finishes that, when melded with heat and chemicals, leave the patina of blues, browns, greens, and even reds.
Bronze Number 15/40
36” H x 17”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
It has been said that our family name Poleyesva (Pol-ee-ess-va), translates to ''The Place Where the Butterflies Land.'' It is an honor be a part of the spirit of the butterfly; a butterfly flies from flower to flower, helping them to grow and brings rain for all plants and the butterfly makes the people happy." --Kim Obrzut
Bronze Number 30/40
24" x 13" x 9”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Bronze Number 26/75
10" X 10"
White Mountain Apache
and Santa Clara Pueblo
Uppie is a Living Treasure as awarded by MIAC.
His reflection of cultural images is often accompanied with whimsy and creativity.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The word Shalako means "messenger of the gods."
Shalako, one of the most famous of the dances and is held every December in the Zuni Pueblo. This dance celebrates the end of the old and the beginning of the new harvests of the year. The regalia of the dancers are unsurpassed in color and design.
Bronze Number 12/12
27 ½”X 11 ½” X 10 ½”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The back of the bronze illustrates the rain falling on the mountains and kivas providing water so the corn can grow. Each side of the bronze maiden has rivers carrying the water to the crops. This beautiful maiden sits on a revolving walnut base.
Bronze, parrot feathers and leather, Number 6/30
20” X 8” X 7”
Jemez Pueblo
A relatively new name in the sculpting field, Joe has won acclaim and respect from his fellow sculptors because of his focus on detail.
Joe is a Living Treasure as awarded by MIAC.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
“The challenge was to only render the motion and what I thought captures the meditative Spirit and feeling of losing oneself in songs of prayer. We dance with youthful hearts on these special days, praying for the well beingness of all living things of the Earth.” -Joe Cajero Jr.
Bronze Number 7/35
22” x 8 ½”
Seminole
The Oklahoma Capitol is topped with The Guardian, a three ton, seventeen-and-a-half-foot bronze created by eminent Native American artist Enoch Kelly Haney and represents the thirty-nine Native American tribes located in the State. Haney also served as a State Representative and later a State Senator, followed by serving as the chief of the Seminole Nation.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
One of the most important parts of the statue is a small strap flowing from the bottom of the warrior's leggings. The strap starts at the warrior's waist, then travels down the legging to the floor, where it is stuck to the ground with the spear.
Bronze on wood base Number 21/35
20 ¼" x 17 x 13 ½"
Cherokee
The first award was presented to actor Kevin Costner for his sensitive role in Dances With Wolves.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Bronze with wood base Number 4/25
21” tall on a wooden base
Native glassmakers use the elements of sand and fire to reimagine pottery, basketry, weaving, and fetishes into luminous masterworks of art.
Isleta Pueblo
His glass sculptures are found in leading galleries around the world, including a piece in the Smithsonian.
While developing his glass sculpture skills, he worked closely with Dale Chihuly for many years.
In 1999, Jojola opened the Taos Glass Workshop.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This wonderful jar is crafted from molten glass in a traditional shape, and then moves into very contemporary designs. The turquoise cabochons are set in the center of black glass circles, which serves to enhance the colorations of both the glass jar and the turquoise cabs.
Glass, turquoise, and silver
11” x 8” x 8”
Navajo
Various traditional indigenous designs and symbols, combined with the contemporary medium of glass, compliment and strengthen one another transforming traditional native art into a contemporary nontraditional art form.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The fused glass piece is embellished with dichroic glass and enamel paints. The colors of this wall hanging are very striking and lovely.
Fused glass mask wall hanging
12” x 10” x 2 ½”
Hopi
His compelling spirit figures in glass are inspired by photographs of rock art in Horseshoe Canyon in Canyonlands National Park in Utah. Some of the most significant rock art in North America, these ancient works date to the Late Archaic period, from 2000 BCE to 500 CE.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The colors within each unique figure gracefully depict the earth -browns; water and rain -blues; reds and oranges -heat and warmth; greens -plants and life in general. The metallic glass represents the precious stones and minerals in our everyday lives.
Navajo
His focus is on the cultural representations of his Navajo upbringing, using communications with the spirit Yeis as a primary platform.
His color palette is carefully selected to mirror the hues found in the Four Corners region of the Navajo Nation.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The symbols are taken from old petroglyph designs. The touches of silver represent the now and the future – the old and the new.
Glass, sterling silver and gold leaf
20” x 15” x 6”
Later artists utilized colors found in nature, often by cooking down vegetal materials like bee weed or spinach, or crushed minerals that had distinct colors, to paint their artistic works.
Kewa Pueblo
Working with natural materials, Jolene makes her own beads from stone and shells, sizing each piece as she makes her jewelry. Jolene cuts every bead—each a different size and dimension—while at the same time relating to the adjacent beads.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Jolene has inlaid pieces of turquoise, spiny oyster, mussel, green apple coral, abalone, and jet. Each piece of stone must be very carefully placed to create a snug fit and adhere to the Aspen.
Jolene does not make many pieces like this one because each one is so very time consuming.
Aspen, jet, turquoise, pipestone, spiny oyster, mussel shell, green apple coral, and Abalone
9” X 9”
Cheyenne
He is especially drawn to burls, which is a highly figured and twisted wood. These pieces of wood are notoriously difficult to work with because of their high tendency to split and break. Some of Nate’s pieces take months to complete.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The colors of the wood flow from a light tan, to a brown on into a dark chocolate all around the bowl.
Nathan creates beautiful wood vessels from a variety of trees. The vessels are hollow-form pieces that beautifully highlight the natural elegance of the wood
Pecan wood
8” x 7”
Hopi
When combined with the visual experiences at hand, a lasting and believing attitude toward the Hopi way is engrained. Neil’s children learn their culture more fully through art influenced by their father’s talent.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Neal David Sr. is a Hopi carver who is extremely well known for his clever portrayal of Warrior Mouse, shown here with his bow and native attire.
Cottonwood and paint
5" x 4"
Navajo
He also creates jewelry, as well as paints with acrylics. Roger often collaborates with his wife, Grace.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
this dancer and water maiden tableau
reflects the attire for celebratory dances.
Vibrant acrylic paints are used to adorn the
figures with both attire and ornamentation.
Wood and paint
29” x 13” x 5”
Sokoki Band
of the Abenaki Nation
When Clint is not mining turquoise, he is busy making beautiful jewelry and artifacts using all natural turquoise cabochons and crushed bits from the Burtis Blue Mine. The jewelry he makes incorporates the beautiful natural turquoise from the mine. Clint also makes inlaid furniture, vases and other accessories. His art is always one of a kind and all hand crafted.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Burtis Blue turquoise is inlaid around the rim of the necks and in “veins” running along the body of the vase.
Knotholes and minor cracks add a unique charm, while gorgeous wood grain and colors make this vase great for a wide variety of decorative uses.
Wood and turquoise
12 ½” X 7 ½"
Hopi
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This maiden is hand carved from Cottonwood. She is beautifully painted with wonderful detail and color. It is signed on the bottom by the artist.
Cottonwood and paint
10” X 2 ¾” X 2 ¼”
Navajo
He includes iconic symbols of the Navajo culture within his cedar people creating elegant and visually interesting pieces.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
These wonderful pieces are carved from reclaimed fence posts on the Navajo reservation.
Cedar wood
20" x 4"
Zuni Pueblo
His knowledge of the rocks and materials he carves comes from the geology classes he took as a geological engineering student.
Todd exhibits a high level of creativity and a deep appreciation for his ancient Zuni culture with his very elegant sculptures and carvings.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This beautiful corn maiden, who blesses and oversees the vital corn crop each year, has sterling silver eyes and turquoise inlay for her features.
Iron Wood, sterling silver and turquoise
3 1/2" x 1 1/4"
Many stone sculptors talk about seeing the artistic interpretation in the block of stone, then carving away everything that is not what they want to portray.
Jemez Pueblo
In 2005, a large seven-foot-tall statue of Po’pay, carved of pink Tennessee Marble, was installed in the Emancipation Hall in Washington DC. The sculptor, Cliff Fragua of Jemez Pueblo, interpreted this Native American leader as the Pueblo Revolt of 1680 was about to begin, showing symbolic icons of the impending revolt such as the knotted cords sent to each Pueblo to coordinate the revolt.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This majestic abstract eagle is 33″ tall carved from a slab of beautiful white and black marble. Cliff has left some areas a soft matte while other areas are highly polished.
A soft golden matrix runs throughout the marble. The stylized eagle sits on a white circular base on top of a black circle base. Each of these bases serves to highlight the colors of the marble carving.
Marble
33” x 12” x 12”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
In this beautiful piece, Cliff incorporates the symbolism of the crow: it is revered as the sacred keeper of law; an oracle of divination and magic; and a symbol of rebirth and change. These birds are powerful spirit guides and the message of their medicine should not be ignored.
Marble and travertine
13 ½” tall
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
In this beautiful sculpture, Cliff incorporates the symbolism of rain: moisture, clouds, land, mountains, lightning into each of his Rain Spirits. The headdress is half round and represents a rainbow. The macaw feathers represent humidity and warmth as the bird comes from tropical environments. The turquoise heishi (beads) symbolizes not only the color of the sky, but also the lining of the clouds.
Various marbles, turquoise and feathers
16” X 2 ½” tall sitting on a 4” square marble base
Ute and Navajo
Although his art has been greatly influenced from his travels throughout France, Italy and Japan, he focuses on depictions of his Native American heritage. Oreland’s art reflects the lifestyle, and the songs and dances of his culture.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Her scarf is attached with a pin, while her shawl has beautifully detailed flowers carved at each shoulder. Her belt while encircling her waist, hangs long on her hip. This gorgeous very carefully carved sculpture stands proudly on a wooden base.
Alabaster
24” x 9” x 7”
Taos Pueblo
Archuleta was born and raised at Taos Pueblo from where he draws his inspiration upon the traditions of Pueblo life to create his sculptures.
Self taught, his work initially focused on Plains Indian themes, but as his technical skills developed and his personal idiom emerged, he began doing Pueblo style work.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Alabaster on a wood base
14″ x 4″
Hopi
If anyone has any biographical information about Hok-Tee, please contact us so that we can give the artist appropriate credit for his work.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Her central body is rows of larger shell heishi applied to resemble the rows on an ear of corn. The wooden base is signed on the bottom in pencil, which is fading. She stands tall and proud as a bringer of the corn of life to her people.
Pink Alabaster and shell Heishi on a wood base
11″ tall
Zuni Pueblo
In his choice of subject matter, Jeff enjoys exploring relationships between creatures. His choice of stone is always brilliant, and his use of materials results in dynamic, life-like scenes.
His work is part of the permanent collection of The Museum of Man in San Diego and is highly sought after by serious and knowledgeable collectors.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This original sculpture has the perfect style, flow and proportion, as well as a flawless finish - you can almost see this bear move.
Jeff is a premiere carver at Zuni and his creations are highly sought after by serious collectors of Native American art all over the world.
Picasso marble bear
4 ½” x 5 ½” x 3 ½”
metal can be welded from smaller pieces into larger
sculptural elements. This medium is often seen in larger
outdoor sculptures.
Stainless steel is the preferred medium, as it is more weather resistant than other metals. For smaller pieces, many artists use sterling silver.
Apache
Jan Loco became interested in Apache symbolism and legend when, as a young adult, she discovered her Apache ancestry. Her work is inspired by the stories of her ancestors, incorporating designs reflecting the heavens, Apache legends, as well as plants and animals of the Apache homeland.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
This is a laborious task, but she feels it honors her ancestry to use items of nature rather than power tools.
Jan has created a unique vessel in which to pay homage to the turtle. Inside of the seed pot on the bottom is a small turtle made from an agate cabochon.
Sterling silver and agate
2” x 6"
Zuni Pueblo
In his choice of subject matter, Jeff enjoys exploring relationships between creatures. His choice of stone is always brilliant, and his use of materials results in dynamic, life-like scenes.
His work is part of the permanent collection of The Museum of Man in San Diego and is highly sought after by serious and knowledgeable collectors.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
A stand of sterling silver cattails is firmly attached to a cuprite stone base, which evokes an image of water in coloration. The iridescent black mother of pearl wings glistens in the light as a magnificent dragonfly hovers effortlessly above.
Jeff is a master carver and creator of unusual small sculptures with inlaid stones.
Mother of pearl and sterling silver on a base of cuprite
5" x 4 ½”
Choctaw
Gene told us that he likes for his creations to look realistic. He doesn’t want to see a weld or where it’s smoothed out. It takes a little bit more time and effort, but Gene believes it is very worthwhile.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Gene created this stainless steel and copper shield reminiscent of the ones used by his ancestors. He has chosen to place highly valued symbols for strength and successful hunting around the four sides - an eagle, a bear, a buffalo, and a wolf.
Stainless steel and copper
24” x 33 ½”
And there are other sculptors who specialize in creating clay figures from clay, often representing their culture and their environment. Clay is a flexible medium that allows exact shaping and careful detail.
Cochiti Pueblo
This was the beginning of the "storyteller" figurine and was inspired by memories of her grandfather years earlier—a tribute to him—who was a storyteller at the pueblo.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
There are six little children climbing all over him – legs, back and shoulders – seemingly eager to hear the story he is telling them.
The grandfather figure is dressed in simple pants and shirt with moccasins. He is wearing a necklace.
Clay and slip
9 ¼” X 5 ¾” X 8 ½”
Jemez Pueblo
Known for her creative figural dancers, which have both color and motion, Kathleen embraces the heritage of the people around her and absorbs the knowledge that they have to offer. Her clay creations begin with an emotional response, then a thought, which becomes the finished piece.
Kathleen’s koshare and figurals are in high demand by collectors around the world.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
conceptually evocative figurines.
Her inspiration comes from the Jemez Pueblo culture,
with a long history and a rich tapestry of culture.
This koshare is holding a special treat on feast day - a
slice of delicious watermelon grown on the pueblo fields
near the Jemez River.
Navajo
These masks are reminiscent of the ones used in ceremonial dances.
As with his acrylic art, David carefully decorates the masks with the images and colors of his Kayenta region.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The top of the mask has the representational face, while the bottom of the mask is carved in a representational kiva fashion with ancestral figures. There are decorative elements of feathers, reeds, and horsehair incorporated within the mask. The specific colors of the mask signify the colors of the sky moving from early morning to dark night.
Clay, slip, turquoise, feathers, sticks and paint
20″ x 7” x 0.5″
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The top of the plaque has the representational face, while the bottom of the plaque is carved in a ladder fashion. The mouth piece is raised and open to represent the singing or chanting of the Yei.
Clay, paint, reeds, feathers, shell, and horsehair
25” x 4”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The mouth piece is raised and open to represent the singing or chanting of the Yei. The specific colors of the plaque signify the colors with the four directions: yellow-the west, white- the east, turquoise-the south, and black- the north.
Clay, slip, feathers, sticks and paint
20" x 5.25" x 1/2"
Zuni Pueblo
Anderson is a master of interpreting the ancient designs to produce his contemporary themes. His Walking-Deer design has made him famous, but he also makes whimsical peering-lizard pots in which the heads of a number of geckos extending over the rim of the pot. Anderson’s whimsical ducks and parrots are becoming increasingly sought after by collectors.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Anderson’s walking deer with elongated necks are his personal style. They are called “deer in the house” since each deer has a heart line.
Clay and vegetal paints
15” X 11 ½”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Regarded as one of the best Zuni potters of today, Anderson is noted for his precise flowing lines. This beautiful owl is handmade of native clays and pigments and pit-fired in the traditional manner. This lovely dark owl is painted with traditional black and red design work. Its open beak represents the stories and lessons for all of us to learn and heed.
Clay and vegetal paints
9" X 8 ½"
Navajo
Often stylized, the sculptures are flowing, serene, and in muted colors.
Jack emphasized the very spiritual connections between the Navajo peoples and Mother Earth.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Each of Jack Black’s sculptures is unique, no two are exactly alike.
Clay and glaze
13″ X 8″
Jemez Pueblo
Every piece of art she creates is symbolic and unique in her eyes. She strives to achieve simplicity and elegance in her sculptures.
Her favorite shapes to make are clay sculptures, large singular figures known for their elegance of form and finish.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Here Maxine has created the town crier with stacked adobe dwellings and bread baking hornos, each with smoke coming from fireplaces and a full moon.
Clay and slip
9 ¼” X 4”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
In pueblo culture, owls are seen as protectors.
Clay and slip
5 ½” x 3” x 3”
Jemez Pueblo
Her pottery is elegant and sophisticated, with precision sgraffito on hand coiled and highly-polished clay vessels.
Her designs, which echo the classic Pueblo designs - kiva steps, spirit figures, rain symbols and corn - are uniquely her own.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
The Corn Maiden brought the gift of corn to the pueblo people; and she represents strength, creation, and wisdom. Her tablita has dragonflies and water symbols on either side, representing water and rebirth.
Clay, paint, mounted in wood shadowbox
The black shadow box is 15 ¼” x 12” x 2 ½”
Many artists utilize the materials that they find around them, not necessarily using more traditional sculpting mediums.
This often leads to unique and highly collectible expressions of their cultures.
Zuni Pueblo
With that carving, they add inlaid stones as decorative emphasis, bringing to life the corn maidens and other figurals.
Often turquoise, coral, mother of pearl, and jet are used as inlays.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Troy has carved her hair in the traditional butterfly whorl on the sides, while the back of her hair cascades down her back. She wears a necklace of coral and turquoise. Her eyes are jet and her mouth is coral. Her dress is a nice design of alternating turquoise, coral and jet cabochons accented with tiny jet inlay.
Elk antler, turquoise, coral and jet
4 ¾” x 1 ½”
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Her dress is a lovely traditional design with alternating turquoise, coral and jet cabochons accented with tiny jet inlay. Additional interest is added through the cross hatching on her dress and its folds. The hem of her manta is inlaid with alternating dots of coral and double vertical stripes of jet.
Elk antler, turquoise, coral and jet
5” X 1 ¾”
Acoma Pueblo
The very uniqueness of his art is what makes it so interesting, not one of his knives are the same. The handles of his pieces are all different, just by the nature of the materials - antler, hardwood, leather & cholla cactus wood.
Dan began flint knapping by making small arrowheads and small tools and later actually using his tools for hunting.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Dan has taken the simple form of a knife and elevated it with inlaid turquoise, carved wood and antler handles, and blades of Obsidian. His blades are created using an ancient technique known as flint knapping. His inspiration comes from old arrowheads and tools found on the Acoma pueblo lands where he grew up.
Zebra Agate, turquoise, sinew, deer antler, and wood
The knife and the stand are approximately 11” long 6” high and 4” wide.
Zuni Pueblo
His knowledge of the rocks and materials he carves comes from the geology classes he took as a geological engineering student.
Todd exhibits a high level of creativity and a deep appreciation for his ancient Zuni culture with his very elegant sculptures and carvings.
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
High above the pueblo, a Zuni sun face shines down. The sun is Kingman turquoise inlaid with sterling silver. On the reverse side, a traditional heartline of turquoise flows from the mouth of the buffalo to the heart, indicating the breath of life of the animal. This stunning buffalo is large and conveys a presence, just as buffalo do in the wild.
Water Buffalo horn, Kingman turquoise, shell and sterling silver
5” x 2 ½” at base
17” X 19” X 8 ½”
Medium: Orthoceras fossil, sterling silver and turquoise
7 ½” X 3 ½” X 5/8”
of Native American sculpture and gave you some insights
of the many talented Native American artists engaged in this field.
on The Dancing Rabbit Gallery website, www.thedancingrabbitgallery.com,
through the end of April, 2022.
If you wish to acquire any of the sculpture featured here, please contact us at: katie@thedancingrabbitgallery.com
All of the images are copyrighted by the owners of The Dancing Rabbit Gallery unless otherwise attributed.
