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"York Meets The Indians"
The man known as only as York was an important member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. He was Clark's boyhood friend and slave, but he was included in every vote on decisions as an equal. A big powerful man, he had a wonderful sense of humor and loved to entertain by singing and dancing. Meeting the Salish Indians for the first time proved to be a lesson to the people who had never seen a black man before. They thought him to be an evil spirit or a burnt man! When the children moved to "rub the charcoal off the burnt man's skin", he stood quietly; then picked the boy up and danced around with him. This frightened the Salish at first, but when they realized he was only singing and dancing with the child, they all joined in as well.
York (click picture for more images)
"First To Serve" - click picture for larger images
Mari was commissioned by the State of Montana to create a monument for the Montana National Guard 1-163rd Armory in Belgrade. The bronze is a portrayal of a Gulf Era soldier and is 48" x26" x 24". "I've depicted our Montana soldier moving and searching out the invisible enemy the insurgents have become. The face of my soldier depicts a concentrated gaze based on strength and leadership. The image I've created shows the strain of this type of war…where you see no enemy because he does not wear a uniform, as they did in both world wars. My soldier holds back his buddies with his left hand because he is a leader and “The First to Serve”. He will peer into buildings, deserted streets or the desert night first. He shows strength, intelligence and diligence in this conflict. I believe I have created a monument to the soldiers of the Gulf Era wars for the proud soldiers who have served."- Mari Bolen
Inquiries regarding purchase of the 12" tall bronze of this sculpture sculpture may be addressed to Mari at: maribolen@bolenbronzes.com
Cherokee - "Tsalagi" - click picture for more images
"Cherokee - Tsalagi" The Cherokee, called Tsalagi in their language, also called themselves "Aniyunwiya", the principal people. Known as one of the Five Civilized Tribes, their original territory was the Carolinas. They easily adopted the ways and some of the dress of the white settlers, but preferred the colorful turban wraps adorned with plumes of egrets and other large fowl. This man wears a Jefferson Peace Medal. Later, this tribe was to be sent on the most infamous death march in U.S. history, the Trail of Tears...from their homeland to Oklahoma. Huge numbers perished and their way of life was altered forever.
Size: 18" x 11" x 8" Edition: 25
"Council Staff" - Crow - (click picture for more images)
"Council Staff" - Crow Warrior
A Crow society member proudly carries the society staff aloft as he reins in his horse. Each tribe had several societies or councils within the group. These societies elected a member to carry their staff or symbol...a proud position.
20" x 20" x 8"
Edition - 50
(Click image for more pictures)
"The Horse Of Kings"
Andalusian horses are one of the greatest ancient breeds. Called Spanish Horses by some, they originated in the Iberian Peninsula in the region of Andalusia. Though Andalusian horses were well spread in other regions as well, the breed was named after this very province. The Romans and Greek valued this breed greatly. The Andalusian Horse was used as a warhorse, which is confirmed by ancient carvings and other sources. In fact, some paintings depicting the Andalusian horse are dated as being 20,000 years old. Even today, one cannot but admire the breed's beauty, intelligence, and courage.
Size: 21" x 26" x 8"
Edition: 15
Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce
"Chief Joseph"
A near-life-size bust of one of the most noted spiritual leaders of the Nez Perce nation, Chief Joseph. His name was Hin-mah-too-yah-lat-kekt, or Thunder Rolling Down the Mountain, but he was known to the white man as Joseph.
His flight from Federal forces in 1877 when he led his people from their ever-shrinking reservation in Idaho made him a legend. His quote at the surrender immortalized this great leader:
"I am tired of fighting. Our chiefs are killed. Looking Glass is dead. Toohoolhoolzote is dead. The old men are all dead. It is the young men who say, "Yes" or "No." He who led the young men [Olikut] is dead. It is cold, and we have no blankets. The little children are freezing to death. My people, some of them, have run away to the hills, and have no blankets, no food. No one knows where they are -- perhaps freezing to death. I want to have time to look for my children, and see how many of them I can find. Maybe I shall find them among the dead. Hear me, my chiefs! I am tired. My heart is sick and sad. From where the sun now stands I will fight no more forever."
(click picture for larger images)
"Pawnee Warrior"
The name Pawnee comes from the term pariki, which means "horn," and refers to the typical hair style.Their hair was plucked or shaved with sharp knives and the middle strip was greased to stand up. Their language is part of a larger group of languages called the Caddoan. Other Caddoans called them the Awahi. One name they give themselves is Ckirhki Kuruuriki, which means “We look like wolves” or Chahiksichahiks, "men of men" .
They differed significantly in their mode of life from the classic Plains cultural type, such as that of the Arapaho, Cheyenne or Sioux. ThePawnee were a settled, agricultural people, occupying large, relatively permanent villages made up of earth lodges. Their staple crops were maize, beans, squash, and pumpkins. The introduction of the horse stimulated a tendency toward a more nomadic, buffalo-hunting life,but this remained a secondary pattern. Maize played a much more important part than the buffalo in their ceremonies and mythology. The traditional territory of the Pawnee centered in the valleys of the Loup and Platte Rivers and along the Republican River in what later became the state of Nebraska. They occupied this area throughouttheir known history, until they moved to a reservation in Indian Territory (later Oklahoma) in 1874-75.
Size: 18"H x 11"W x 8"D
Edition: 25
"Assiniboine Warrior"
The pre-historic, or pre-horse, Assiniboines moved to the plains from the Ohio River area. Thought to be part of the Yanktoni Sioux, they separated and moved northward where they allied with the Crees. They covered a huge area in the northem plains, warring with the Sioux and Blackfeet.
In later years, they were friendly with traders and trappers; helping them to keep the waterways free of their common enemies.
Edition: 25
Size: 22" x 12" x 10"
"Assiniboine Warrior"
"Sitting Bull "-Tatanka-Iyotanka"
The Lakota tribes united under this Hunkpapa-Lakota chief and spiritual leader during their struggle against the white incursion on the plains of the Dakotas and Montana. He defied the orders to take his people to reservation lands; leading to his 1876 confrontation with Gen. George Armstrong Custer on the Little Bighorn River in Montana Territory. His gathering of Sioux, Arapaho and Cheyenne tribes was the largest ever and such a gathering was never to happen again.
He is depicted in bronze at the age of 41, in 1872, wearing a Sun Dance shirt...proud and courageous; rather than the defeated man we see in pictures of his final days.
Edition: 25
Size: 22"H x 12.5"W x 8"D
Sitting Bull
"General George Armstrong Custer"
This enigmatic character of our old west proves fascinating to everyone. I depict him in a uniform of his own design; showing his arrogance and defiance in his demeanor. He is, at the age depicted, near the end of his very colorful life.
Edition: 25
Size:17"H x 12"W x 13"D on 2" walnut base
