The Business of Ghost Dancing

This figure in this painting came from a photograph in the National Archives as “unidentified”.  I’m sure he is identified elsewhere but we will keep his anonymity here.  His gesture and magnificence of the headdress appealed to me.  I recently completed a painting commission for a museum and am now aiming to move my practice more into the medium of painting.  In this work he represents the actions of our ancestors, yet remaining grounded and connected to community.  He is/was not afraid to do what was needed to be on the right side of history.