Rapid City Journal from Rapid City, South Dakota • 21

4 i 1 v-- j.n: r- Created in YMS by Fannie Bear Stops 'A Vest, quill applique on buckskin Created in 1072 by Caroline Brady At once traditional and contemporary, the ancient art of quilling has been recognized in a public exhibition now open at the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City. This is the first time in the history of American Indian arts such a collection has been assembled for the public. Organized by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the U.S. Department of the Interior, the exhibit features 78 vital contemporary quillworks by 28 outstanding craftsmen of the Sioux Tribe. The exhibit will continue through Sept, 30.

The museum in Halley Park, West Boulevard between Main and St. Joe streets, is open from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 1 until 5 p.m. on Sunday.

"The use of porcupine quills for esthetic purposes is one of the most unique concepts in the arts of the North American Indian," said Myles Libhart, director of museums for the board. "This unusual material quills taken from porcupines-has in fact been developed in a variety of technical forms and to heights of artistic ac-c 1 i t. unequalled anywhere in the world. "The contemporary masterpieces displayed in this exhibition are a tribute to the impressive talent and skills of the modern Sioux craftsmen wrho are developing this important artistic legacy of the North American Indian to a place of increasing significance in the contemporary arts of the United States," Libhart said. Assisting Libhart in assembling the exhibit were Rena McGhan, acting curator of the Sioux Indian Museum, and I I if v.

Oscar Howe's contemporary painting of "Double Woman" rTadition says she tought art of quilling to the Sioux (Journal photo) ing the late 19th century, are featured on a buckskin vest created by Caroline Brady of the Fort Bcrthold Reservation in North Dakota. Ridge, are featured in the exhibit. In contrast there are the figurative motifs representing the thunderbird and buffalo, created in finely interfolded quill si rands covering pipe-stems by Aloysius and Daniel Moccasins, quill applique on buckskin Created in 1971 by Martha New Holy pins utilize the ancient concept of using segments of the quills as beads. Bold geometries represent the major style pursued by the modern craftsmen, vividly displayed in quill-wrapped 1 I i 4 RAPID CITY July 9, 1972 Rapid City Journal 21 Appliqued moccasins By Alice Blue Legs all the northernmost tribes of this continent. The exhibition dramatizes the increased activities of the contemporary craftsmen of the Sioux of the Dakotas and eastern Montana.

They are exploring the unusual medium i i a Special hibit is feature of the ex-an interpretative 1 painting by Oscar Howe, noted contemporary Sioux artist. The work depicts the mythological Double Woman who accordng to tribal legend taught the Sioux the art of quilling. New Holy from Pine Ridge, James One Feather of Standing Rock and Alice Bordeaux of the Rosebud Reservation. Floral designs, a concept adopted from the whites dur- 4 in both traditional and experimental forms. These modern craftsmen practice four major technical applications of quilling evident in the featured works in the exhibit.

Moccasins, medallions and a vest illustrate applique methods in which folded quills are stitched to soft-dressed skins. A variety of objects, including pipe bags, dance costume accessories and hair ornaments demonstrate a technique of wrapping quills on rawhide strips to form vibrant panels or fringes. Small, carved objects also are embellished with quills in long strands of interfolded quills which are wound as decorations on pipe stems and tampers. The contemporary jewelry in necklaces, earrings and Pipe stems, tampers in Created in 19 by Emma Amiotte, manager of the Tipi Shop, a crafts sales outlet operated in cooperation with the local museum. They explain that quilling is one of the most ancient arts of North America, developed by the American Indian long before the arrival of Europeans.

One fragment of ancient North American quilling, unearthed by archaeologists, is believed to have been produced over 2,500 years ago. During the 18th and 19th centuries the arts of quilling were intensified by virtually Sunday, breastplates created for modern Indian dance costuming. A series of contemporary dance costumes made by Sophie New Holy and Emil and Alice Blue Legs, all of Pine interfolded quill strands Aloysious New Holy 4 4jr i Sophie New Holy, another contemporary artist Her works are featured in special exhibit Emil Blue Legs at work in his home at Pine Ridg Thotos are courtesy of Indian Arts ami Crafts Board Breastplate, quill wrapped rawhida Created in 1971 by Sopbia New Holy.