Kevin Red Star
“Indian culture has in the past been ignored to a great extent. It is for me . . . a rich source of creative expression. An intertwining of my Indian culture with contemporary art expression has given me a greater insight concerning my art.” – Kevin Red Star
Kevin Red Star’s art is honored throughout Native America for its authenticity. It presents a shining vision of centuries-old Crow (Absaroke) culture through the eyes of a thoroughly contemporary consciousness. Red Star grew up on the Crow reservation in southern Montana, a member of a highly creative family. Chosen to be in the first group of students at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe in the late sixties, the school provided him with a learning environment of tribal traditions, world art history, and current trends. Red Star and his fellow students mined their ancient customs for content and then created exciting new forms to provide current relevance. Along with other members of his graduating class, Red Star continued his studies at the San Francisco Art Institute.
In the decades that followed, Red Star continued to paint. Through difficulty and triumph, grief and joy, with an increasing clarity and complexity in his painting, he has created an indelible expression of his tribal legacy. Known for his attention to historical detail, each element has a specific meaning and significance within the context of tradition; whether depicting warriors, women, ceremonies, costumes, or tepees. Through color and composition, the subject springs vividly to life, reflecting the mastery of style and technique he has gained over the course of the years. Throughout the world, in museums and private collections, he is equally respected for the content of his unique imagery, for his artistic productivity, and for the intrinsic value of his work.
