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Dayton, WA
$325.00
Title
We The People
Artist
Steve Henderson
Medium
Painting - Oil On Canvas
Description
Who are The People?
Throughout history and the world, groups of human beings have called themselves The People. They share a culture, a language, a land in which they live, a belief in who and what they are. Many times they have family connections. They are a tribe.
In North America, prior to their being decimated by government and its armies, many indigenous groups – some peaceful, some not – called themselves The People. They saw themselves as unique, special, treasured by a Creator who had made them and saw them as his children. They themselves treasured the land upon which they lived, seeing it as a gift from the Creator, from Nature, from Mother Earth – from some benevolent force who takes an interest in ordinary, everyday, genuine, real people.
The artwork, We the People, shows a grandmother, her daughter, and her daughter’s child. Standing as a trio, looking out onto land that they once considered theirs upon which to live, they see a different past, present, and future.
The grandmother grew up in another world, one in which the imperialist and business forces of a select group of aggressive and powerful people had not yet planted their foot. She grew up with traditions and customs that her grandmother before her would have known.
Her daughter lives in a time of transition. The aggressive and powerful people have planted their feet. They attack; they push; they force. They make promises that they fully expect to break, and they do break them. The world of this young woman is one of chaos and unwelcome change, of uncertainty, of hopes raised and then dashed. Will the aggressive and powerful people allow her and her family to live as they once did? Will things go back to normal? She doesn’t know, because nothing of this magnitude has ever happened to her, or her People, before.
And then there is the child, too young to know about any of this, secure upon the mother’s back. For this child, there will be “The Indian Wars,†the breakup of The People, the forced internment in reservations, the government schools where the new ways, the new normal, will be taught, driving out the wisdom and teaching of centuries. For the trio standing here, this is the future.
But for us, today, it is history. And throughout the history of “civilization,†the powerful push forth.
For those who are peaceful, who are ordinary, everyday, genuine, and real, it is wise to remember those who are not. We have more than enough history to teach us, if we are willing to learn.
Featured on 39 Fine Art America groups, including 1000 views.
Featured Social Commentary of the Week, Our World Gallery group -- January 2021
Uploaded
January 22nd, 2021
Statistics
Viewed 6,815 Times - Last Visitor from New York, NY on 04/24/2024 at 1:58 AM
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Sales Sheet
Martville, NY - United States
Congratulations, Steve, on your 1st Place Win in the First Americans Art Contest. What a beautiful painting! Voted.
LYON - France
Steve, what a beautiful find is your gallery, you are one of my favorite artists! Keep on the great work, you are super talented!
Steve Henderson replied:
Thank you, Carolina, for your generous words. I am humbled and gratified and happy that you found us.
Port Orange, FL - United States
One of your peers nominated this image in the 1000 views Groups nominated images by your fellow artist in the Special Features #17 promotion discussion. Please visit and pass on the love to another artist.....L/F/Tw
Richardson, TX - United States
Gorgeous painting Steve. Nominated for special feature in the 1000 view group T/F
Port Orange, FL - United States
Congratulation.....your wonderful work has been featured in the 1000 Views on 1 Image Group l/f/p
Madison, WI - United States
Your talent is humbling my friend. Spectacular work... spectacular words. Love your style.
Steve Henderson replied:
Thank you, John, for your generous words. I appreciate that you took time to read the description as well. By the way, the beautiful accompanying essays are created by my wife and business partner, Carolyn. She writes, I paint -- a marriage made in heaven.
Piney Flats, TN - United States
Sad, poignant painting and description. I easily see this as belonging in the Smithsonian Museum in their displays of Native Americans.
Steve Henderson replied:
Thank you, Jim, for your thought-filled words. And, yes, some things worth painting are sad -- but if it encourages us to be better people then it serves a worthy purpose. I trust that this artwork will help accomplish that.
San Pedro, CA - USA Military
The face of the grandmother. The weariness, the perseverance ... so well done!
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