Twenty original paintings and select historical artifacts culled from the permanent Red Earth Museum collection are currently on display in an exhibit entitled “The Indian Pony” at the downtown Oklahoma City Native American museum and gallery.
The modern horse evolved over 3 million years and then disappeared from the North American continent 10,000 years ago. Centuries would pass before early Spanish explorers would reintroduce the horse to North America in the 17th Century.
The North American Plains Indians acquired their first horses, and the knowledge of how to handle them, through trade with the Indians of the Southwest who interacted with Spanish explorers.
The lives of Plains Indians were transformed as horses gave them an advantage when hunting; especially buffalo, the main staple of life in the area bounded by the Rockies and the Mississippi River. For generations Indian ponies have captured the imagination of artists, authors and screenwriters.
“The Indian Pony” at the Red Earth Museum showcases American Indian artists from Oklahoma, and their visions of the horse in Indian culture.
Nine American Indian fine artists, including 2010 Red Earth Festival Grand Award winner Gary Montgomery (Seminole), are featured in the exhibition. Other artists showcased include Frank Sheridan (Cheyenne), Johnny Tiger, Jr (Creek/Seminole), Ron Geionety (Comanche), Whitebuffalo (Kiowa), Tartsah (Kiowa), Jerome Tiger (Creek/Seminole), Doc Tate Nevequaya (Comanche) and Virginia Stroud (Cherokee). “
The Indian Pony” is on view, free to the public, through February 28, 2011 at the Red Earth Museum and Gallery at 6 Santa Fe Plaza located next to the Skirvin Hilton Hotel in Oklahoma City.
For more than 30 years, the 501 (c) 3 non-profit Red Earth, Inc has been dedicated to its mission to promote the rich traditions of American Indian arts and cultures through education, a premier festival, museum and fine art markets. The organization is recognized as the region’s premier organization for advancing the understanding and continuation of Native American traditional and contemporary culture and arts.
The Red Earth Museum, located in downtown Oklahoma City, hosts a diverse and changing schedule of art and historical exhibitions and is custodian of a permanent collection of more than 1,400 items of fine art, pottery, basketry, textiles and beadwork. For information visit www.redearth.org.