Susan Kliewer (American, b. 1940). "Crow Fair Shawl Dancer" bronze, n.d. Edition 12 of 45. Signed and numbered on integral bronze base. A magnificent limited edition cast bronze sculpture of a Crow dancer by Susan Kliewer, one of the Southwest's most acclaimed sculptors. "Crow Fair Shawl Dancer" features a stunning Crow (Apsaalooke, also Absaroka) woman dressed in traditional garments and accoutrements, captured in her graceful dance with extended arms displaying her fringed shawl, billowing clothing, and elaborate dance regalia. The finely modeled and colorful patinated details to represent turquoise beads, feathers, and silver are truly remarkable! Even the pedestal is meticulously rendered with flora motifs and a large single feather behind the dancer's feet. What's more, the statue is mounted on a tiered wooden pedestal that rotates so that one may admire it from all angles. Size: 12.625" L x 15.875" W x 25.25" H (32.1 cm x 40.3 cm x 64.1 cm)

This piece was acquired from the Mountain Trails Gallery in Sedona and was accompanied by the following contextual description of the Crow Fair Shawl Dance, "The Crow Fair takes place every year the third week in August at the Crow Indian Reservation south of Billings, Montana. It is one of the most celebrated intertribal Pow Wow's throughout the West. Spectators and participants from around the world come to the 4-day event which includes parades, a rodeo, pow wows, and horse races. The Crow Fair is also the largest Native encampment in the country and is called the 'teepee capital of the world' with more than 1,000 teepees over acres and acres of land. One of the highlights is seeing all the tribes who come and participate with their traditional regalia in the various traditional dances. The Shawl Dance is one of the highlights of the Pow Wow tradition where the ladies wear colorful fringed shawls, leggings, and beaded moccasins as they twirl and spin, as the movement of the fringes dazzle the eye. It is said this dance represents the butterfly emerging from a cocoon. It is an honor to represent your people in the Shawl Dance, and each dancer pays tribute to the honor by dancing with high energy and dignity. This Crow Fair Shawl Dancer is a celebration of the joy of tradition and dance."

A native of Southern California, Susan Kliewer has lived in Arizona for 40 years, with 5 of those years at the Marble Canyon Trading Post adjacent to the Navajo Reservation in Northern Arizona. Kliewer started painting when she was 10 years old and took up sculpture in 1987 after working at a foundry for ten years. In 1993, Kliewer won a competition to create a monument of Sedona Schnebly. In addition, she created a life-size fountain that portrays the Sinagua people as well as a fountain of a Hopi Water Maiden in Sedona. In her words, "My work aims to show the common thread that underlies all human experience, and which, I hope, brings us to a greater understanding between peoples."

Another "Crow Fair Shawl Dancer" from the same edition is listed by Medicine Man Gallery for $6900 with the following narrative from Susan Kliewer, "Jeff and I camped four miles upstream form the crow Fair on the Little Big Horn River during their annual summer gathering. Later in the evenings, when we weren't at the dances, we could hear the drumming at night as the sound drifted along the river while we were falling asleep. The Crow woman that inspired my sculpture was beautiful and she was wearing exceptional regalia."

Provenance: Private Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA collection; ex-Hugh K. Terrell estate, representative Priscilla T. Bisher; purchased at Mountain Trails Galleries, Sedona, Arizona, USA

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#175253

Signed and numbered on integral bronze base. Bronze statue, integral bronze base, and tiered wooden rotating base (fit with a custom brass plaque identifying the artist and the title of the piece) are superb overall!