Description

The Cultural Series is a collection of familiar scenes from the everyday life of Jerome Tiger’s Indian people; their customs and habits, their celebrations, their sports and entertainment. Roughing It Up is the fourth release in the Cultural Series. This powerful and action filled painting depicts two players involved in the strenuous Indian game of Stickball. This age-old sport is traditionally a fast-moving, violent game which often accelerates into bloody combat between the teams. The players catch a ball in scoops attached to the end of wooden sticks which are about three feet long, and hurl it at a goal, usually a carved animal head sitting atop a tall pole. In the heat of the game the players angrily swing and thrash their sticks like clubs to fend off their opponents. Instinctively, Tiger added touches of realism necessary to capture the action and ferocity of the Stickball game. The aggressor’s sticks are clenched in a vise-like grip; his opponent’s sticks are free in the air, his fingers open. The viewer is literally made to feel the rush of breathe from the player’s lungs as he is brought down. The impact of the collision in so artfully accomplished that even the most casual observer is affected. Roughing It Up ranks as one of Tiger’s most powerful works due to its dynamic realism and force of action in depicting the game.

The universal appeal of Tiger’s work speaks to people of all races through its beauty and deep spirituality. His style has had a tremendous major influence in the development of contemporary Indian art influencing other Indian artists who succeeded him. Since 1970, thirty-three of Tiger’s paintings have been reproduced as limited edition lithographs. Many of the lithographs are sold-out and are only available on the secondary market.

Condition: Excellent – original condition.  This lithograph is protected with acid free foam core board and shrink wrapped.
Provenance: Maintained in the same family gallery since purchased from the artist’s widow in Oklahoma.