Lot 203
Bonnie Halsey-Dutton (American, Contemporary). "Thunderbird Symbolic Ghost Dance" watercolor and gouache on paper, 2010. Signed with year in lower right. A captivating painting by Bonnie Halsey-Dutton featuring a ghost shirt bearing the image of a thunderbird hanging at the top with a long, horsehair fringe cascading over abstract designs of zoomorphs, anthropomorphs, and other spiritual objects. Rendered in brilliant, contrasting hues of navy, indigo, marigold, burnt orange, and sky blue, the energetic composition shows outlines of birds, a sun, drums, shields, and even the silhouette of a human dancer. Ghost shirts are shirts, or other clothing items, worn by members of the Ghost Dance religion, and thought to be imbued with spiritual powers. Here, Halsey-Dutton has portrayed the shirt with a legendary thunderbird, a supernatural being believed by Native Americans to hold great power and strength. Size (painting): 11" W x 30" H (27.9 cm x 76.2 cm); (shadowbox): 2.75" Deep x 15.5" W x 34.5" H (7 cm x 39.4 cm x 87.6 cm)
A very special painting, replete with impressive artistry as well as layers of historical and cultural meaning, that is floated upon a backdrop painted by the artist to resemble bison hide. Halsey-Dutton has used a deep acrylic shadowbox framing to underscore the cultural importance of the theme and suggest a treasured museum artifact. This piece is painted on heavy-weight archival watercolor paper, and the manner of paint application was intended to convey age and weathering. In addition, the paper's deckled edge further imbues the piece with a sense of history.
Bonnie Halsey-Dutton was born and raised in South Dakota and is inspired by the local cultures where she resides as well as their history. She has provided the following statement about this piece, "The Thunderbird is a powerful symbol in Native American culture. It appears repeatedly in ceremonial objects. Its image is also commonly found carved into stone, known as petroglyphs. The legendary thunderbird ruled the skies, and was credited with thunder and lightning. Its powerful presence was feared and revered.
In 1890, the Plains Indians ceremonially tried to resurrect their way of life through a movement known as The Ghost Dance. This ceremony drew Indian tribes together and was quickly outlawed by the United States. For this ceremony, many wore specially designated ghost dance shirts, believed to hold great power. Such a shirt, adorned by the powerful thunderbird, is depicted at the top of the painting. The Government's efforts to stop the Ghost Dance once and for all led to the infamous Wounded Knee Massacre on December 29, 1890. This horrendous act, sadly, did end the resistance as it annihilated 145 Lakota men, women and children."
About the artist: Bonnie Halsey-Dutton was born and raised in South Dakota and is inspired by the local cultures where she resides as well as their history. Dr. Halsey-Dutton is both a professional visual artist and a fine arts educator, holding a PhD in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona. She exhibits her artwork both nationally and internationally, and also teaches at home and abroad.
Artist Statement: "Through painting, I investigate historic narratives and how they shape contemporary society. Human culture is complexly intertwined. Physical objects, along with humans themselves, continuously circumnavigate the earth. I believe that this cyclical process of interaction invites potential for new connections and increased cultural understanding. Holding PhD in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona, art history and world culture are my constant artistic muses and they also compel my life experiences."
Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, USA collection
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#187227
- Condition: Overall excellent and demonstrates impressive artistry and technique. Signed with year in lower right. Signature, title, and date on verso. The artist has floated this painting in a deep clear acrylic shadowbox. The painting is mounted upon archival black foam core that has been attached to a Masonite backing that she painted to resemble buffalo hide. Halsey-Dutton's informative description and COA is attached to the verso of this piece. The work is fit with suspension wire and ready to display.
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