Artwork copyright Ted Sitting Crow Garner. Photo courtesy of the artist, 1986.

Government Mask, 1984

Ted Sitting Crow Garner
(American | Standing Rock Sioux, born 1957)

Location: Washington State University, Pullman

ABOUT THE ARTWORK

Native American artist Ted Sitting Crow Garner carved Government Mask from red oak, which he painted with colorful symbols. Describing the role the artist sees himself playing in his Indigenous culture, Garner notes "I see myself as a repository and a channel for historical Native American culture with both the ability to appreciate and partake in its 'Aboriginal' forms and the freedom to combine it with any and all of a whole world of other influences and/or techniques that are germane to me as a modern artist. In short, in much the same relationship as the present has with the past and future."

This artwork is part of Beyond Blue Mountains, a collection that was curated by late Tlingit (Native Alaskan) artist Jim Schoppert. It presents the work of Native American artists of diverse heritage, ideas, materials, and styles. The collection takes an in-depth look at the artists’ unique voices and interpretations of tradition.

This artwork was acquired for the State Art Collection in partnership with Department of Corrections.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Ted Sitting Crow Garner (Sihasapa and Miniconjou) is a sculptor who works mainly in metal and wood. He creates abstract compositions that are fluid and poetic. He notes, "the core of my thinking is based in the first sense of aesthetics I learned, that of Native American art, especially that of the Northwest Coast."

Garner grew up in Seattle, Washington, and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. His parents were involved in the “Native Arts Renaissance” of the late 1960s and 70s. He earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in sculpture from Kansas City Art Institute. He is also a photographer, author, illustrator, poet, and Jeopardy quiz show champion. Garner is a member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and is of Sihasapa and Miniconjou heritage (that share geography with western South Dakota). He is collected and exhibited nationally, and lives and works in Chicago, Illinois.