**Originally Listed At $800**

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton (American, Contemporary). "Ceremonial Pose" watercolor and gouache on paper, 2009. Signed and dated on lower right. A captivating painting by Bonnie Halsey-Dutton inspired by a photograph taken by Martine Rouleut who has been invited to take photographs at reservations in South Dakota. The composition features a cropped head of a youth wearing a feathered headdress in profile with ceremonial accoutrements before the visage. All is delineated in a soothing palette - shades of gold, sienna, chocolate brown, black, and white. Halsey-Dutton notes that the cropping of the image "symbolizes the passage of time" and she is encouraged by Native American youth who continue to honor their heritage by "keeping the cultural traditions alive through ceremony, customary attire, and learning and speaking the language of their ancestors." Size (painting): 11" L x 30" W (27.9 cm x 76.2 cm) Size (shadowbox): 15.4" L x 34.5" W x 2.7" deep (39.1 cm x 87.6 cm x 6.9 cm)

Halsey-Dutton has used shadowbox framing to underscore the cultural importance of the theme and suggest a treasured museum artifact. This piece is painted on heavy-weight archival watercolor paper, and the manner of paint application was intended to convey age and weathering. In addition, the paper's deckled edge further imbues the piece with a sense of history.

Bonnie Halsey-Dutton was born and raised in South Dakota and is inspired by the local cultures where she resides as well as their history. She has provide the following statement about this piece, "This painting was inspired by a photograph taken by my friend Martine Rouleut. Martine resides in France, and has made numerous visits to South Dakota reservations, where she has been invited to take photos. This image depicts the modern ceremonies practiced by Native Americans today. An increasing number of Native American youth are keeping the cultural traditions alive through ceremony, customary attire, and learning and speaking the language of their ancestors. The cropping on this piece symbolizes the passage of time: it is representative of things not being the same as in the past, and how they are never going to be the same. I love working with textures, and that drew me to this image."

Dr. Halsey-Dutton is both a professional visual artist and a fine arts educator, holding a PhD in Art History and Education from the University of Arizona. She exhibits her artwork both nationally and internationally, and also teaches art education workshops at home and abroad.

Provenance: private Spearfish, South Dakota, USA collection

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#177793

Overall excellent and demonstrates impressive artistry and technique. Signed and dated on lower right. The artist has floated this painting in a deep clear acrylic shadowbox frame. The paper is mounted upon archival black foam core that has been permanently attached to a painted heavy Masonite backing. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display. Halsey-Dutton's informative description and COA is attached to the verso of this piece.