Lot 56
**Originally Listed At $800**
Bonnie Halsey-Dutton (American, Contemporary). "To and From Crazy Horse" watercolor and gouache on paper, 2010. Signed and dated on lower right. Bonnie Halsey-Dutton pays homage to the legendary Lakota Sioux Chief Crazy Horse, or Tasunke Witco, with this magnificent painting. In particular, Halsey-Dutton responded to several historic events of the 1870s in "To and From Crazy Horse". The year 1874 is referenced as many Sioux peoples, including Crazy Horse's daughter, were unjustly lost to measles that year. The year 1876 is noted, because Crazy Horse led his people to defeat General Custer at the Battle of the Little Big Horn that year. Finally, the year 1877 is highlighted since that was the year when war, cold temperatures, drought, hunger, and decimation of the bison presented impossible obstacles AND after declaring a truce and turning himself in at Fort Robinson, Crazy Horse was tragically bayoneted by the Indian police, making it possible for the U.S. government to relocate the Sioux without organized resistance. Halsey-Dutton's imaginative composition eloquently responds to these tragedies as well as Crazy Horse's unabating mythical presence for the modern Lakota peoples. All is delineated in her expressive manner and uniquely floated upon a backdrop that the artist painted to resemble animal hide in a deep acrylic shadowbox frame. Size (painting): 30" L x 11" W (76.2 cm x 27.9 cm) Size (shadowbox): 34.5" L x 15.4" W x 2.7" D (87.6 cm x 39.1 cm x 6.9 cm)
Halsey-Dutton has used 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 provide the following statement about this piece, "Crazy Horse, or Tasunke Witco, was a powerful Oglala Lakota chief. He unified the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes to resist the United States Government during the era in which he lived and fought known as the Indian Wars.
Along with steady encroachments on Native American land, the inhabitants were killed with bullets as well as with disease. Reservations were set aside upon which various Native American tribes were forced to relocate. The telling of this war, as in any war, depends upon the viewpoint of those who record it. A visual record recorded by the Native Americans at the time was often in the form of a Winter Count. A winter count records a significant event from each year. According to the Battiste Good Winter Count, 1874 was called 'Measles and Other Sickness Used Up the People Winter. This was the year Crazy Horse lost his daughter to illness.
As seen in a vision, Crazy Horse seemingly could not be touched by bullets in battle. His ability to unite the people led to General Custer's defeat at the Battle of the Little Big Horn in 1876. The Flame Winter count recorded this year as 'Horses taken by the U. S. Government', as the Native Americans who peacefully relocated to the reservation had their horses taken away.
1877 brought about the beginning of the end for life on the plains. Drought, war, and the annihilation of the bison made it impossible for tribes to survive off of the reservation. For the good of his people, under a flag of truce, Crazy Horse turned himself in at Fort Robinson. Unfortunately, Crazy Horse was killed: not by enemy bullet, but from being bayoneted by the Indian police. The death of Crazy Horse allowed the U.S. Government to relocate and contain the Sioux tribes without further unified resistance. This painting is in response to that telling of 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 art education workshops at home and abroad.
Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, USA collection
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#177792
- Condition: Overall excellent and demonstrates impressive artistry and technique. Signed and dated on lower right. The artist has floated this painting in a deep clear acrylic shadowbox frame. The paper is mounted upon archival black foam core that has been permanently attached to a painted heavy Masonite backing. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display. Halsey-Dutton's informative description and COA is attached to the verso of this piece.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |