The Missoula Art Museum (MAM) in Missoula, Montana featured the works of Blackfoot artist Terran Last Gun.
According to the artist:
“My work bridges the ancient to the contemporary. I am creating a new Piikani art form that is bold, vivid, even humorous at times and has minimalist and geometric qualities that are potent in meaning, content, and place.”
Ledger art is a part of a long tradition of American Indian art in which Native artists documented their history using pages of ledger books obtained from settlers. Last Gun continues this tradition using symbols from the Blackfoot painted lodge (tipis).
Shown below are some of his ledger art.
Shown above is Magnificent Light, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Evoking Admiration, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Radiating Medicine, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Future Cosmic Energy, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Missoula County” antique ledger paper dated 1918.
Detail from Future Cosmic Energy
Shown above is Power Derived From Extended Space, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Sunbeam Vitality, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Impressively Beautiful, 2023. Ink and colored pencil on “Journal Day Book, Dalhart, Texas” antique ledger paper dated 1911.
Shown above is Alluring Beings, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Roaming the Backbone, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Restoring Light, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Fascinating Rock, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Returning of the Old Dominion, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Sunbeam Gifts, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
Shown above is Wandering Creation, 2022. Ink and colored pencil on “Jos. Hirshberg & Co, Choteau, Montana” antique ledger receipt, circa 1913.
More American Indian art
Indians 101: American Indian modern art by Oscar Howe (museum tour)
Indians 101: Some 1930s works by Sioux artist Oscar Howe (museum tour)
Indians 101: Sunflower by Walla Walla artist James Lavadour (museum tour)
Indians 101: Caddo artist Raven Halfmoon (museum tour)
Indians 101: Glass art by Marcus Amerman with Preston Singletary (museum tour)
Indians 101: Contemporary Indian animal art (museum tour)
Indians 101: Exploring Glass Art by Native Artists (Art Diary)