Copperworks Artist David Gerton Releases Indigenous Peoples Collection

Camas, WA — Copper Works Artist David Gerton has just released the first two pieces of his Indigenous Peoples Collection, and has this message:

Hello Everyone, 

I have always been fascinated with Native American traditions, cultures and legends. 

Copper Works Art is happy to present EAGLE PLUME and TASHENANAMI the first two pieces in the Indigenous Peoples of America Collection. These are Mixed Media Copper under crystal resin mounted in floating antique gold shadowboxes. Many more tribes will be forthcoming. 

FIND THE HEARTS! 

Native American culture sees color in Four Directions. From these Four Directions, West, North, East, and South, come the four winds. The special meanings of each are accompanied by specific colors, and the shape of the cross symbolizes all directions. Specific details regarding colors associated with directions varies by Tribe. 

To the West is Black where the sun sets, and the day ends. For this reason, west signifies the end of life … “toward the setting sun of his life”.  The great Thunderbird lives in the west and sends thunder and rain from its direction. For this reason, the west is also the source of water: rain, lakes, streams and rivers. Nothing can live without water, so the west is vital.

North brings the cold, harsh winds of the winter season. These winds are cleansing. They cause the leaves to fall and the earth to rest under a blanket of snow. If someone has the ability to face these winds like the buffalo with its head into the storm, they have learned patience and endurance. Generally, this direction stands for hardships and discomfort. Therefore, North represents the trials people must endure and the cleansing they must undergo.

The East yellow (gold). It is the direction from which the sun comes. Light dawns in the morning and spreads over the earth. This is the beginning of a new day. It is also the beginning of understanding because light helps us see things the way they really are. On a deeper level, East stands for the wisdom helping people live good lives. Traditional people rise in the morning to pray facing the dawn, asking God for wisdom and understanding.

South  is White (Silver). Because the southern sky is when the sun is at its highest, this direction stands for warmth and growing. The sun’s rays are powerful in drawing life from the earth. It is said the life of all things comes from the south. Also, warm and pleasant winds come from the South. When people pass into the spirit world, they travel the Milky Way’s path back to the south, returning from where they came.

These colors are particularly embraced by the Dakota and Lakota Sioux tribes.

“Tshenamani” also known as “Moving Robe Woman” was a Sioux woman warrior who fought against General George Custer in the Battle of Big Horn to avenge her brother, One Hawk, who had been killed by Custer and his soldiers when they charged on horseback into the large Lakota village near the Greasy Grass River.   She was 23 at the time. She died at age 81 in 1935.