Eagles Speak
A Cheyenne-Arapaho artist who has exhibited and lectured around the world, Heap of Birds will present two talks at Kenyon in conjunction with the exhibition. He will discuss his work on Thursday, September 9, at 7:30 p.m. in Higley Auditorium. Earlier in the day, in a Common Hour presentation at 11:10 a.m. in Olin Auditorium, Heap of Birds will be joined by his University of Oklahoma colleague, Associate Professor of English Robert Warrior, to discuss Heap of Bird's sculpture entitled Wheel.
"Eagles Speak" incorporates the work of Heap of Birds as well as work by artists Thembinkosi Goniwe of South Africa, Narragansett/Wampanoag Cynthia Ross-Meeks, and Tall Oak, a Mashantucket/Pequot/Wampanoag. The title refers to the Cheyenne view of the eagle's role as a messenger and leader. Wheel, a large outdoor sculpture commissioned by the Denver Art Museum, deals with the natural and political history of the Colorado region. It was inspired by the traditional medicine wheel found in the Big Horn Mountains of Wyoming.
Heap of Birds, who teaches in the departments of art and Native American studies at the University of Oklahoma, creates work that draws attention to living native culture and the impact of history on the contemporary relationship between native and mainstream societies. The lectures and exhibit are free and open to the public.