Alan Monroe, Lakota | ||
 Horse Spirit Totem Example | Use a Horse Spirit Totem as a personal fetish, pendant, or hang from vehicle mirror, door knob or on the wall or Christmas tree. A unique gift. -
mane and tail of real horse hair Made from soft deer leather. Stuffed with South Dakota sage and hand stitched. They are hand painted with the same design on both sides using acrylic paint. Embellished with horse hair, high quality glass crow beads, brass beads and brass cones. About Sage - Native Americans use sage for smudging ceremonies and worn in bags around the neck. They believe sage would drive off negative energies, spirits and influences and protect them from all that is negative in spirit. The sage used in these totems is native to South Dakota where Alan Monroe lives. He collects it, strips it and packs the totems very full and tight so that they retain their shape for generations. (ONLY ONE EACH DESIGN AVAILABLE) | |
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From the artist: "Native Americans often made Horse Spirit Totems to honor a fallen horse, in hopes that the spirit of the horse would follow them in life. They should gain the strength and power of their fallen friend. These effigies would be used in ceremonies, for healing and often carried into battle. After a Horse Spirit Totem is made, it is believed that it will take on a spirit of its own." | ||
Alan Monroe - Oglala Lakota Alan Monroe creates his Northern Plains artwork from hides, stone, leather, and wood. He learned the basics of quill working, weaponry, sculpting and pipe making from traditional and contemporary artisans in his family circle. He is a fifth generation pipe maker and considered by many to be a master pipe maker. In his sculptures, Monroe works with a variety of materials such as pipestone, bone, wood and alabaster. He creates small objects like fetishes to large pieces than can weigh hundreds of pounds. Al Monroe's work can be seen in many galleries and museums across the country and he has won many awards. Al Monroe was born in Hot Springs , South Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. He graduated from Hot Springs High School and studied business and art in Nebraska, Tennessee, and South Dakota. | ||
