Kevin Pourier
Oglala Lakota Artist
First recorded September 27, 2018
Kevin Pourier is an Oglala Lakota artist who lives and works on the Pine Ridge Reservation. At this year’s Santa Fe Indian Market, the world’s largest and most prestigious Indian art market, he was awarded Best of Show.
Matt Ehlman PhD of The Numad Group sat down with Kevin for Morning Fill Up. The two discussed art, culture, and the inspiration for the piece named Best of Show, which he has said is especially needed in today’s world.
His concho belt carved of buffalo horn features eight Native women who inspired the artwork. The idea for the belt came from his wife Valerie during the couple’s time protesting the Dakota Access Pipeline on the Standing Rock Reservation, where they witnessed strong women who remained true to the cause, despite the trauma they underwent throughout the protest.
The piece, valued at $50,000, was purchased by the Smithsonian Institute National Museum of the American Indian to be part of its permanent collection.
Kevin has been carving buffalo horn on the Pine Ridge Reservation for about 20 years. He is one of the only artists in the country working in the medium of incised buffalo horn. The works he produces carry forward Lakota artistic practices for creating spoons and vessels of sublime beauty from the horns of the revered animal. His carvings reveal the beauty he sees in the world around us, utilizing imagery intent on inspiring thought, growth and creating the opportunity for education.
