“The Devil’s Rope” 11 x 30” Watercolor and Gouache on Paper

I am struck by the similarity of The U. S. government’s containment of the Native Americans to that of the Natzi handling of the Jews.  As I look back at history, it is amazing what is justified, and what is conveniently forgotten in the name of “progress”

This painting depicts a pictorial history from the era in which the land existed in an open and seemingly never-ending plain, to the concept of fenced-in land ownership. Barbed wire was referred to as “The Devil’s Rope” by native people.

 The people’s use of the land dates back to pre-history, and came to a very quick end.  Rendered at the top of the painting are images borrowed from a Sioux winter count, known as The Big Missouri Winter Count.  It spans 131 years, and dates from 1796.  A winter count is a hide painting depicting an important event for each year, and was passed down within Plains Indian tribes.

The images of people from behind, united, is a powerful symbol of unity and is adapted from The Black Hawk Ledger.  Stylized horses are represented, such as those found in the Leatherwood/Scares the Enemy Ledger, a Brule’ Lakota from the Rosebud Reservation and the Richard Henry Pratt Papers.