The stories shared by Gerald Red Elk, a Lakota historian from the Montana plains, frequently find their way into Dave McGary’s bronze sculptures. McGary’s bronze After the Ceremony shares the memories of a traditional Sioux ceremony as recounted to McGary.
The first bronze of a woman standing on her own that McGary has created in over a decade, After the Ceremony, displays the gifts given to a young woman by family and friends after the ceremony marking her transition into adulthood. The beaded detail of the pictorial images quickly attributable to the Lakota are seen in her dress. Many of the gifts are items of great value taken in warfare with the Crow. Her horse carries a woman’s saddle decorated with the intricate beading of the Crow Indian artisans. She holds a prayer fan created from the tail feathers of a golden eagle, Looped to the saddle are delicately crafted belts, one with an awl case, and two “possible bags” show with ornamental beading the geometric designs found in traditional Sioux craftwork.
The young Lakota Red Elk woman looks to the future with her arm embracing the neck of the cherished Palomino mare, received from her grandfather. The mare is easily recognized as a Palomino with her golden colored coat complimented by an ivory mane and tail. After funding the expedition that discovered the New World, Queen Ysabella de-Bourbon of Spain sent a Palomino stallion and five mares to ensure the breed would spread throughout the New World, now known as Mexico. The Palomino made its way from Mexico into California, Texas, and the Plains with Native American’s capturing the wild horses and taming them for use both in hunting and war. This stunning Palomino with its blaze and four socks is a fitting gift for a young woman making the journey into her own new world.
Recognized as creators of exquisite star quilts, an example of the work of the Red Elk Family, drapes proudly over the saddle and back of the horse. From its receipt at her coming of age ceremony to being wrapped around her shoulders with her husband at her marriage to bundling her at the time of her burial, the star quilt will be part of treasured ceremonies and moments of this young Lakota’s life.
