Oil on canvas. This piece included in the 1986 Artist's Society International Exhibition. It expresses the sadness I experienced when I discovered this tragedy. As history goes european settlers (whites) in pushing the railroad westward into North America found it necessary to slaughter the herds of Buffalo. This act reduced the herds to the endangered species list within a few years. It also removed the single most important part of the Plains Indians Life, Religion, Culture and food supply (the BUFFALO). This piece is intended to
give the viewer a feeling of loneliness (the lack of life), discomfort (the skull, mixed
architecture and war club) and yet hopefulness (the small plant on the ledge and the sun
light coming in the window). The curtains (starry night sky) are open and hint at the
vulnerability of the human spirit and the ease in which one could close the curtains. And
in doing so, closing the viewer's mind and heart to the truth. This piece was originally
concepted in pastel on paper. It was later transferred to oil on canvas for this exhibit.
The original oil resides in a private collection in southern Minnesota. | |||
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© 1999 Robert Kelly. All Rights Reserved.