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 | The young brave in my sculpture is Chiricahua Apache. The Chiricahua were named for the red stripe often seen painted across their faces. One group of Chiricahua inhabited a region of New Mexico known as the Mimbres mountains near Deming, New Mexico, where my family lived for over 5 years. These specific Apache Indians lived in a harsh climate and land yielding barely enough for survival. The sculpture "Grateful Brave" evolved from my life-long interest in Native Americans and their respect for life, the earth and its resources. It is a fact that the Apache brave believed that he gained strength from the earth when he was able to kill an animal in his own territory. It is also known that the Apache had religious-based mystical attributes for each animal he hunted. Grateful Brave is a culmination of the Apache attributes. He is giving thanks for the kill. He has gained strength and power because of it. He knows the hardships of the land but this time he has been successful. Because of the opposition he has faced his gratitude is deepened. (Note: The rawhide shield laid on the back of the buffalo was to give both supernatural and physical protection to the Chiriachua brave) |
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