Native American Series
 

“As we enter the unique places our lives take us, pathways appear, guided by
the murmurings of those who have gone before, and side conversations with those
we meet along the way.  Artists are vagrants, going from place-to-place, living in
the moment while wandering the endless landscape.  They may pick a flower here
or there and arrange their own distinctive bouquets.  When people view art,
they gain insight into themselves as well as the artist; a chance encounter
with who they really are and what they believe at the depths of their being.”
 

Unity Of Truth

 Hand-finished traditional patinas
with textural highlighting.

      The early people of this continent passed on their knowledge through stories, rich with spirituality and ceremonial ritual. These reveal a kinship with the natural world and its Creator at a depth infrequently experienced in our time.  Not surprisingly, when Biblical narrative and beliefs arrived, many of these views were convergent with ancient Native beliefs.

“Art is when you hear a knocking from
your soul – and you answer.”  - Star Riches

     I created this sculpture in response to the growth of intolerance among world religions in our time.  This sculpture shows a Cheyenne medicine man talking to the Creator in a unifying expression of faith in a common God which is signified by the ceremonial pipe (Indian Way) and the crucifix (Jesus Way).The crucifix depicted in this piece is a replica of the one carried by Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet, the Jesuit “Black Robe” priest who crossed the American frontier, carrying the Christian message as he engaged the tribes of the Upper Missouri.

 


29”H x 18”L x 16”W
 
 

 
 

 

Click on Image to Enlarge

21”H x 17”L x 16”W
 

Geronimo – “Goy-ath-lay”

Hand-finished traditional patina with
traditional Apache accents

     The creased brow of the venerable Bedonkohe Apache leader tells of pride and disappointment.  The lines and fissures reveal stories, old and familiar, from years of tribal life, of a character shaped by harsh elements, great joy and the travail of frequent conflict.  Although he died in relative obscurity, the man called “Goyaale” by the Chiricahua Apache, or Goy-ath-lay (English spelling), history now honors Geronimo as a highly respected military strategist and courageous advocate for his people and their way of life.

 
 
 
 

Spirit Horse

Hand-finished smooth bronze
with Ferric patina and highlights

     This piece is the first in a series of pieces honoring the artistic contributions of individual members from many tribes who documented vignettes from their lives through drawings known as “ledger art.” There will ultimately be five or six pieces in this series displaying colorful scenes  taken from drawings and  depicted in  a

 

Click on Image to Enlarge
 11”H x 22”W x 6"D

3-dimensional context.
     Horses are magical creatures in Native myth and valued partners in the life of a tribe.  Here the Appaloosa ghost horse and rider sport the Blackfeet “straight-up” bonnet as they pursue their buffalo quarry across the eternal prairie. 

 
 
 
 

Click on Image to Enlarge
 6”H x 16”W x 10"D

 

Lending A Hand

Hand-finished traditional
Ferric and liver patinas

     As does all creation, whether animate or inanimate, the coyote holds its’ own special place in Indian tradition.  This piece honors the respect of this Blackfeet hunter who observes  a bewildered pup distressed at its mother struggling to free herself from the iron snare of  a  fur trapper.

Surprise and understanding pass  between hunter and coyote as their eyes meet.
   

 
 

Any and all works can be purchased by simply calling Kevin Kirking
at (208) 772 - 9717 or email kevin@bronzewest.com with your
phone number and you will receive a call  back as soon as possible.

    Shipping charges will be based on item(s) ordered, packaging,
insurance if desired and destination.

    All transactions must be made in U.S. dollars.

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