ARTISTIC STATEMENT
Toe Knee Stanger
I AM A BRIDGE BUILDER.
Creativity is nothing without a purpose. My forte is color, but that is not enough. I study the history of art as life. My anthem is art into life. For me life is this moment now, and none other. Art is truth. Love is truth. Justice is truth. The end cannot be found. They can be sought, but now is all there is. And here we are. Our bridge is more than the wealth of American history shaped by truths merging. Native America has always been here. We are it.
MY GOAL
is to no longer say I think this or that, but to BE.
I DRAW ON EVERY MOMENT.
I face diversity, I find peace for a day. We are a nation united. Let's be united in co-operation. This is my desire.
TO ALL THOSE WHO STRUGGLE ON WALL STREET
you have so much in common with those tied to land deserted even by nature. The bombs are everywhere. Inside our hearts. So be it. These are times to make peace.
THIS IS MY OFFERING. A BRIDGE. PUTTING THE TRUTH BACK INTO HISTORY.
The Civil War Captain off to defeat the savage in the name of civilization who finds instead much to be desired within, and the peace of harmony expressed before him. Those were times past. Those long journeys of tribute, dialogues among the few, never found, but never lost. They shape us now. We are the heirs.
ALL THIS DID HAPPEN.
Across a field shadow figures prayed together, met each other with dignity. Peace was found. One moment of peace still resonating waiting to be recorded.
MY LIFE IS ABOUT
finding the value that sits on the other side of the viel. The overlooked. So close it is hard to see. The blur of truth. We are that light in the eyes shared. Desire for tranquility for our children.
I WANTED TO CHANGE
what I thought was wrong. But now I see with new eyes what I have understood is already here. One more chance. With every dream, with every attempt, one more risk endured.
WHILE THE BULLETS FLY
the world over, the battle on these streets of our land, we endure one moment in hopes that all will turn out alright, that peace is victorious. This vote in ach of our hearts is truth, is history, is worthwhile. Let us remove the doubt, therefore, and do what is worthwhile.
I AM MORE THAN AN ARTIST. I COME FROM A FAMILY OF BUILDERS. I AM A BRIDGE BUILDER.
If I can ignite the passion for life in another, let me do that. If not then let me be a carrier of the torch for a time. Perhaps another with more can fan the flames. Half way through, this is my offering, an exhibit dedicated to the youth of our day. May we keep this earth safe until all rest in peace.
Amen.
Ha ho Tanka Shila!
IT FEELS TRAGIC
to be living in an era where so many heartbreaking deaths occur over political differences. And no matter what you read in the paper or see on CNN, or hear from the front, you never really can be sure to know who or what is the truth. Tragic does not describe the still apparant miscommunications on this civilized planet...and how easily we come to know war.
WE ARE PRIVILEGED
to be citizens of a nation built upon truth, justice, the good, and the right. We can chose to see daily that harmony is a worthy goal. The world over seems to do nothing else than dodge bullets and quarrel.
WE DON'T NEED TO STEAL
anything from another national, we have it all here. Do we need to force anyone to see things our way? Or can we be leaders in what little peace we have, based upon the good, the right, the just, and depending on the truth, that "all were created equal". Our constitution says it all.
OUR MODERN JOURNEY
is no longer to conquer other nations. All nations have conquered, all have been conquered, achievement of harmony always comes as a result of the memory of wars tragic waste.
WE ARE NATIVE AMERICANS,
we were welcomed here as brothers, and initially interactions, colonists, explorers and adventurers were offered peace. "My Brother," "My Sister"...this we still have time to chose.
THEN LET US BECOME LEADERS NOW FOR THE WORLD OVER
IN PEACE
IN JUSTICE
IN TRUTH
IN GOD'S LOVE for us we offer love to all God's Children regardless of race, creed, sex, or monetary status.