Where the Buffalo Roam

Silverton, Colorado - 2021

Standard framed size: 52” x 72” 

Large framed size: 71” x 101” 

I have no sense of what the brothels in the American “Wild West” looked like, but some claim that the foyer in the historic Imperial Hotel in Silverton, Colorado is not a bad starting place to let the imagination and the creative juices flow.  

They were right, the Imperial is indeed an historic treasure trove, allegedly haunted and virtually untouched for over 100 years. If the wallpaper could talk, it would have many stories to tell. I had never seen 19th century wallpaper until I arrived in Silverton.
And so it was that I brought seven girls and their Madam to the Imperial, all in period wardrobe and all eager to act out their roles. The window light in the foyer was generous, perhaps not surprising given the history and that allowed me some opportunity. 

But we needed something more in the narrative, we needed humour. This was always going to be a parody shot, not an earnest reconstruction of an 1880 “Whore House”, that would be a little odd. When we found a local tame bison, fully licensed to work with people and on film sets, my mind started to work out a plan.  

I want to thank Josie Canseco, Kate Bock, Daniela Braga, Aleska Genesis, Roxanna Redfoot, Katie Kearney, Lara Leito and Deve Sanford for all entering into the spirit and having a blast. 

A bison walks into a whore house……. ~ David Yarrow