JAMES BLACK

ABOUT

James Black (Southern Cheyenne/Arapaho and Oglala)

James Black is a Southern Cheyenne Sundance priest from Watonga, a small rural town in northwestern Oklahoma. Growing up in a traditional home and being influenced by the traditions of his people, James reflects his surroundings in his drawings. He wanted to pursue art but did not want to get into contemporary Native American art, such as drawing Indians with wolves and eagles. He knew that his people did more traditional pictographic drawings known as ledger drawings.

Studying more about this ledger art form, he found out that it was more than drawing Indians fighting on horses. They told the history of his people, such as courtship scenes and ceremonies. As he learned more about it, this form of art became more personal and inspiring to him. In 1993, he began drawing and creating in this form.

Today he exhibits in many art shows and galleries throughout the United States, such as the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum, and the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. He displays his work in the Howell Gallery in Oklahoma City, OK, the True West Gallery in Santa Fe, NM and David Cook Gallery in Denver, CO. He also belongs to the Santa Fe Society of Artists and shows his work throughout the summers.

James is proud to be a modern Cheyenne ledger artist keeping the traditions of his people alive with dignity. Currently, he attends the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Enrolled in the museum studies program, he hopes to open a museum to display the historical past of the Southern Cheyenne people—how they see it, and how they want it to be seen.