- Details
- By Tamara Ikenberg
- Arts and Culture
Welcome to day nine of Tribal Business News’ 12 days of Indigenous holiday gifts guide. In the spirit of supporting Indigenous artists and entrepreneurs and drawing attention to some truly gorgeous and inspired items, we are presenting 12 consecutive days of Native-made products perfect for holiday gift-giving, including giving to yourself.
Day 9:
Karen Clarkson Choctaw Art Wind Horse Legend Print, $45, Etsy shop
You can practically feel the whoosh of the legendary Wind Horse racing by in this adrenaline rush of authentic Choctaw art.
If you’re determined to harness that horse for a loved one’s wall, you need to act fast, because the prints are running out as rapidly as the Wind Horse.
The same goes for most of the other prints in Clarkson’s Etsy store, where the acclaimed artist who regularly wins top honors at Native markets and shows across the country offers reproductions of her original paintings for less than $300.
For maximum cultural and emotional impact, Clarkson makes sure her customers learn the legends she depicts. She includes the corresponding stories with each purchase and also includes them next to the images in her online gallery.
According to Choctaw legend, the Wind Horse is recognized as the swiftest and most fearless and benevolent of all the Indian horses. If Indians were injured or needed a lift, they could depend on the Wind Horse to rescue them. In the story shown on the print, the Wind Horse puts itself in peril to save a lost little boy.
“I make the effort to include the text of this legend for a couple of reasons. I think it helps explain the symbolism in the painting, for one thing. It also illustrates the compassion and connection of the horse and the little boy, symbolic of father and son,” Clarkson said. “The whole legend is about caring and careful attention to the connection between love, sacrifice and understanding.”
Clarkson said she hopes everyone gets a chance to read the legend.
“I have read it many times and I still feel my heart open wider every time,” she said.
Clarkson is admired for her meaningful and beautiful work, as well as her commitment to promoting and supporting her creative colleagues.
“Indigenous artists are sorely under-represented in the art community, especially women artists. It takes a lot of capital and time to sell art nowadays, and without representation and visibility we become lost in the crowd,” she said. “Many Indigenous artists do not have ways to promote themselves and rely on word of mouth. This year, bring your loved ones the gift of Native resilience and point of view.”
Previous gift ideas
Day 1: Quirky, comical calendar by Ricardo Caté
Day 2: Stationery and scarf set by B. Yellowtail and Debbie Desjarlais Design
Day 3: Baby Yoda power by M Reed Designs Boutique
Day 4: Alaska Native ornaments by Trickster Company
Day 5: Sleek Salish jacket by Ay Lelum
Day 6: Far-out wall art by Johnnie Diacon Art
Day 7: Striking T-shirt by Kevin Coochwytewa
Day 8: Ermine earrings by Wawezhi Designs
