Bonnie Halsey-Dutton (American, Contemporary). "Horse Dance" watercolor and gouache on paper, 2010. Signed and dated on lower right. A mesmerizing painting by Bonnie Halsey-Dutton that pays homage to the struggles endured by indigenous peoples as tribes were forcibly relocated to reservations as well as the longstanding native practice of recording historical narratives, first on rock walls and later on animal hides. This composition features four men on horseback, one wearing a buffalo mask, overlaid with colorful drips and splatters symbolizing the tears and blood shed by the Sioux peoples over the course of history, painted above a Sioux horse ornament comprised of buffalo hide, horn, and feathers. All is delineated in Halsey-Dutton's 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, "Four figures on horseback comprise the top portion of this painting, as inspired by a painting by Kills Two, an Oglala Sioux. (Circa 1920 – 30) His imagery renders four horsemen in a ceremonial context. I am inspired by the magic of his image. In my painting, I pair an interpretation of this image along with a unique Sioux artifact, a horse adornment owned by the Museum of American Indians. This buffalo hide and horn adornment was for a horse, possibly to be worn and exhibited as in Kills Two painting. Taking these images out of their historical context for reflection, this painting is rendered to suggest the passage of time and the blurring of memory. Without recall, these magical moments from history are lost."
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
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#177794
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.