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Indian Dream

September 14, 2005

ph_aug_indianbust.jpg
Oh Great Spirit,
Whose voice I hear in the winds,
And whose breath gives life to all the world,
Hear me, I am small and weak,
I need your strength and wisdom.
Let me walk in Beauty and forever behold the red and purple sunset.
Make my ears sharp to hear your voice,
And my hands to respect the things which you have made.
Let me see the lessons which you have hidden in each leaf and rock.
Make me wise that I may understand the things which you have taught my people.
I seek wisdom, not to be greater than my brother,
But to overcome my greatest enemy, myself.
Let me walk a straight path with clean hands,
So that when life fades, like the fading sunset,
My spirit may return to you without shame.

~ Prayer from the Children of the Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota

Allan Houser created the sculpture above, which is on display at the National Museum of the American Indian. He is considered a Native Modernist, and I'm here to tell you, his work really took my breath away. If you're in DC go see the special exhibit of his work, which contains many many pieces, including his early paintings and illustrations.

I love the way the exhibit lights look like stars in the sky, don't you? Grand and beautiful are words that come to mind when I think of his work. Many of the sculptures are very large and give a sense of the pride and wonder I associate with Native American culture, as well as a feeling of distance and sadness for a culture that in many ways is now a dreamy memory. There is a great sense of pride and natural spirit to the work as well. I plan on returning to see the exhibit a second time while it's still there.

Posted by susan at September 14, 2005 06:10 PM

Comments

Just breathtaking. I cannot wait to see all this in person.

Posted by: janet at September 15, 2005 11:41 AM

Extremely grand and beautiful. Thank you for telling us.

Posted by: G. at September 15, 2005 12:20 PM

The sculpture...nice.

The prayer....

Oh. My God.

MMMe too, God. MMMe too.

Posted by: MMM at September 17, 2005 11:00 AM

That's one of my favorite prayers ever. I"m glad you posted it. The sculpture is luscious and profound and glistening sleek. Nice photo, you portray the emotional content of the sculpture well!

Posted by: Wandering Willow at September 17, 2005 01:11 PM

Yes, I saw his work, and it is spectacular!

Posted by: Jamie at September 19, 2005 03:26 PM