Arthur Amiotte, a name synonymous with the vibrant tapestry of contemporary Lakota art, stands as a pivotal figure in the Northern Plains region. Born in 1942 on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Amiotte, also known by his Lakota name Wanblí Ta Húŋkešni Wašté (Good Eagle Center), embodies the multifaceted role of an artist, educator, author, and scholar. His life’s work, deeply rooted in Lakota philosophy and oral history, provides a profound bridge between ancestral traditions and the realities of modern life. Arthur Amiotte is not just an artist; he is a cultural ambassador, a keeper of stories, and a visionary who has dedicated his life to preserving and promoting Lakota heritage.
Early Life and Influences
Amiotte’s formative years were spent immersed in the rich cultural landscape of the Pine Ridge Reservation and the nearby town of Custer, South Dakota. This dual upbringing, straddling the traditional ways of the reservation and the influences of the outside world, profoundly shaped his artistic vision. As an infant, he was given the name Warpa Tanka Kuciyela (Low Black Bird), and later, in 1972, he received his second Lakota name, reflecting his evolving identity and connection to his heritage.
Family played a crucial role in Amiotte’s artistic development. His great-grandfather, Standing Bear (1859–1933), was a participant in the historic Battle of Little Big Horn. From 1969 to 1975, Amiotte apprenticed under his grandmother, Christina Standing Bear, a respected sacred bundle keeper. She imparted invaluable knowledge of their ancestor Standing Bear (Mató Nájin), who notably illustrated Black Elk Speaks. This close connection to his family history and the oral traditions passed down through generations instilled in Amiotte a deep reverence for Lakota culture.
He credits his early exposure to tribal arts and ceremonies as the catalyst for his lifelong interest. Witnessing his family’s active participation in these traditions ignited a passion that would fuel his artistic endeavors for decades to come.
Education and Mentorship
Amiotte’s pursuit of knowledge led him to Northern State College in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in art education in 1964. He furthered his studies at the University of Montana, obtaining a Masters of Interdisciplinary Studies in Anthropology, Religion, and Art. There, he had the privilege of studying under the renowned scholar Joseph Eps Brown, a leading figure in the study of Native American religions.
His commitment to education is further underscored by honorary doctorates from Oglala Lakota College and Brandon University in Manitoba, Canada. These accolades reflect not only his academic achievements but also his significant contributions to the field of Native American studies.
While several college professors recognized Amiotte’s talent and encouraged him to pursue art, it was the renowned Dakota (Sioux) artist Oscar Howe who profoundly influenced his artistic direction. Howe inspired Amiotte to draw upon his Lakota background and culture as a central theme in his artwork. Additionally, Peter Catches, Sr., a respected elder and practitioner of sacred Oglala traditions, served as a mentor, guiding Amiotte in his understanding and appreciation of Lakota spirituality.
Artistic Style and Themes
Arthur Amiotte is celebrated as a contemporary Lakota artist, historian, and educator. He is highly sought after as an author and lecturer on Native American arts and contemporary American Indian art. He wrote the section on Sioux Indian arts for the Illustrated History of the Arts in South Dakota, published during the State’s Centennial in 1989. His career spans four decades, marking him as one of the most influential artists portraying Lakota life, thought, and philosophy in the Northern Plains Region.
Lakota philosophy and oral history form the bedrock of Amiotte’s artistic expression. His work is an embodiment of Lakól wičhóȟ’an waštélaka – the profound love for Lakota traditions. Amiotte’s dedication to promoting Lakota rituals and the visionary experiences that arise from traditional ceremonies deeply influence his artistic creations.
Amiotte defines his work as intrinsically linked to the reservation culture, skillfully bridging the gap between the past and the present. He has articulated his artistic vision, stating, "I realized that contemporary art was ignoring the whole reservation period. This had been a dynamic time… Daily life was infused with this mixture of nonliterate/literate. There were new technologies… it seemed to me that it was more honest to deal with all this in my art, rather than to create a fake hide painting."
His collage work, inspired by Ledger art, elevates the genre to new heights. With pointed and sharp wit, Amiotte’s collages reveal the contrasts between Lakota tradition and modernism. His work also explores the experiences of Lakota people in Europe during the Wild West show era of the early 20th century.
Exhibitions and Recognition
Amiotte’s artistic contributions have been widely recognized and celebrated. He has participated in over 100 exhibitions, including more than 20 solo exhibitions, showcasing his work throughout the United States and Europe. Notable exhibitions include a showing at the Kunsthallen Bradts Klaedefabrik in Odense, Denmark, in 1994-5.
His stature as an educator and artist has led to appointments to prestigious boards and councils, including a temporary advisorship to the director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and the Presidential Advisory Council for the Performing Arts at the Kennedy Center.
Amiotte has also curated numerous museum exhibitions focusing on the culture of the tribes of the Great Plains. These exhibitions have been featured at esteemed institutions such as the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian in Santa Fe, New Mexico; the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain, South Dakota; the Buffalo Bill Historical Center of Cody, Wyoming; and the Museum of World Cultures of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, in 2006.
He has served on the Indian Advisory Board of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center at Cody, Wyoming, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the Native American Art Studies Association, a commissioner of the United States Department of the Interior’s Indian Arts and Crafts Board, and a member of the Council of Regents of the Institute of American Indian Arts.
Awards and Publications
Arthur Amiotte is the recipient of an impressive array of awards, including an Arts International; Lila Wallace Readers Digest Artists at Giverny, France, Fellowship; a Getty Foundation Grant; a Bush Leadership Fellowship; the South Dakota Governor’s Award for Outstanding Creative Achievement in Arts; and the Lifetime Achievement Award as Artist and Scholar from the Native American Art Studies Association. His work is included in 26 public and nearly 200 private collections.
His work, spanning painting, sculpture, and textile objects, is featured in prominent public collections such as the Denver Art Museum, the Sequoyah National Research Center in Little Rock, Arkansas, and the National Museum of Natural History.
Amiotte is also a prolific author. In addition to writing the section on Sioux Indian arts for the Illustrated History of the Arts in South Dakota, he wrote the foreword for Spirit Beings and Sun Dancers: Black Hawk’s Vision of the Lakota World. He also contributed The Lakota Sun Dance – Historical and Contemporary Perspectives to Sioux Indian Religion (1987), co-authored with Raymond J. DeMaillie/Douglas R. Parks. Other notable publications include Eagles Fly Over and Our Other Selves, featured in I Become Part of It: Sacred Dimensions in Native American Life (1989), and Art and Indian Children of the Dakotas, Book Five – An Introduction to Art and Other Ideas. He has also published an art book showcasing his works, titled Transformation and Continuity in Lakota Culture: The Collages of Arthur Amiotte.
Legacy
Arthur Amiotte’s contributions extend far beyond the realm of art. He is a vital voice in the preservation and promotion of Lakota culture, ensuring that its traditions and values continue to thrive in the modern world. Through his artwork, scholarship, and teaching, he has inspired countless individuals to appreciate the richness and complexity of Native American heritage.
Arthur Amiotte’s legacy is one of cultural preservation, artistic innovation, and unwavering dedication to his community. His work serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of understanding and celebrating the diverse cultures that enrich our world.