by Brent Learned

Artist’s Statement
I create art to honor the memory of the victims of the American Indian genocide, also known as “Manifest Destiny.” The historical model that defined Indians as savages and the process that begins with the justification of the taking of the life of a person—not for anything they have done, but simply because of the color of their skin and the difference of their culture. Native American artwork is always evolving. As we change, so do our cultures and so does our art. This show is a reflection of all that.

Cheyenne Love, 24×36, 2020 acrylic on canvas.

 

Warrior Spirit, 24×30, 2007 acrylic on canvas.

 

American Indian Genocide, 48×60, 2022, acrylic on canvas.

 

Aftermath, 36×40, acrylic on canvas.

 

On to Denver, 24×30, 2010, acrylic on canvas.

 

Cheyenne, 24×36, 2020, acrylic on canvas.

 

***
Brent Learned is an award winning and collected Native American artist who was born and reared in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is an enrolled member of the Cheyenne-Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma. Brent graduated from the University of Kansas with a bachelor degree in Fine Arts.

He is an artist who draws, paints and sculpts the Native American Indian in a rustic Impressionistic style. He has always appreciated the heritage and culture of the American Plains Indian. He tries to create artwork to capture the essence, accuracy and historic authenticity of the American Plains Indian way of life. Although Brent has many different styles, he is typically known for his use of bold vibrant colors in his depictions of the American Plains Indian.

Brent has a passion for being active in the community. He was one of the curators of the Wintercamp show at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum. The Wintercamp show was geared toward giving new artists in the community an opportunity to show their work. Most importantly, this was the first all Native American show to feature contemporary Oklahoma Native American art. Brent has also had the honor of working with Dale Chihuly’s team on the Eleanor Blake Kirkpatrick Tower (Chihuly’s tallest installation to date) that resides in the Oklahoma City Art Museum.