Warrior Elder Exhibit, By Randall Amster
Subject: Warrior Elder Exhibit, The Daily Courier- By Randall Amster
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Warrior Elder Exhibit- The Daily Courier
Randall Amster
Courier Columnist
January 29, 2007
You’ve probably heard of Leonard Peltier, who has been in prison for over 30 years following the 1975 deaths of two FBI agents during a standoff with Native American activists on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. The story was memorialized in the film Incident at Oglala, and Peltier’s case has become a touchstone for issues of native rights and criminal justice.
What you may not know is that Peltier has also become an accomplished painter over these decades, and that his work will be on display here in Prescott starting this week. That’s due to the bold efforts of the Smoki Museum to arrange a world premiere of Peltier’s body of work, spurred by the vision of curator Adam Mikos working in conjunction with members of the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee (LPDC).
Peltier is a self-taught painter who has “learned intuitively,” Mikos told me, noting that “it’s amazing how good his work is” considering the limitations of his situation. Mikos describes this show as a “dream exhibition,” observing that it’s an exceptional opportunity to display many works that haven’t been seen outside of Peltier’s cell, including some produced specifically for this opening.
Beyond publicly presenting the powerful images found in Peltier’s work, Mikos says that “the point of the show is to assist with the community projects of the LPDC,” whose public programs “fit with the mission of the Smoki Museum to build community,” and, according to the museum’s web site :www.smokimuseum.org to “celebrate the lifeways of indigenous peoples.”
The LPDC has been in operation for over 25 years. Their primary goals are Peltier’s “immediate release” from prison, and to facilitate communication between Peltier and his family, friends, and the media. They also work with his legal team and his myriad supporters to redress a case that is “riddled with injustice,” according to Toni Zeidan, co-director of the LPDC. Even today there are pending legal proceedings about problems with the original trial, Zeidan explained.
In addition to the supportive work they do, the LPDC has initiated a number of outreach projects that the Smoki exhibition will help raise money for, including a seasonal toy drive for native children, building a school on the Pine Ridge Reservation, creating an after-school program to overcome youth violence, and providing scholarships to law students working to overcome injustice. Zeidan said that these efforts have brought Peltier “a lot of joy,” and that in many ways “he’s done more from the inside than many people do on the outside.”
“He always wants to help others,” she continued, observing that even after all these years, “He remains hopeful and positive.” Zeidan describes Peltier as a “traditional elder” whose artwork reflects themes drawn from his visions and experiences, including portraits, still lifes, and ceremonial depictions. As Mikos notes, there is “no conflict, no anger” in Peltier’s work, just the moving images of an outstanding artist.
No matter your views about Peltier’s case, check out this unique cultural opportunity, opening this weekend at the Smoki Museum.
Randal Amster,
The Daily Courier
Courier Columnist
Smoki Museum
147 N. Arizona Street
Prescott, Arizona
Phone: 928-445-1230
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
Website: wwww.leonardpeltier.net
Email: info@leonardpeltier.net
For more information on event schedule please click here:
http://www.leonardpeltier.net/worldevents/smokimuseum.htm
Leonard Peltier Defense Committee
posted by Leonard @ 9:02 AM
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