American Spirit

American Spirit

2004-2005
Artist
David P. Bradley, Chippewa, Lakota, American, 1954-
Born: Eureka, CA
Work Locations: Santa Fe, NM
Culture
Chippewa
Country
United States
Object
sculpture
Medium
Plywood, paper, acrylic paint, aluminum foil, and PVC
Accession Number
2015.658A-G
Credit Line
Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum

David P. Bradley (Chippewa/Lakota), American Spirit, 2004-2005. Plywood, paper, acrylic paint, aluminum foil, and PVC; 66 x 30 x 14½ in. Gift from Vicki and Kent Logan to the Collection of the Denver Art Museum, 2015.658A-G. © David P. Bradley

Dimensions
height: 66 in, 167.6400 cm; width: 30 in, 76.2000 cm; depth: 14 1/2 in, 36.8300 cm
Department
Native Arts
Collection
Indigenous Arts of North America

Bradley’s work comments on the commercial use and appropriation of Native imagery to represent the “natural,” healthy world. At the same time he highlights the negative effects of tobacco use—a subtle message evident in the image on the foil top of Chief Big Foot, a Lakota man murdered at the Wounded Knee Massacre by the U.S. Army's 7th Cavalry in 1890.

© David Bradley

Known Provenance
Made by artist, 2004-2005; Purchased from the artist by Vicki and Kent Logan, 2014; Gifted to the Denver Art Museum, 2015.
Exhibition History
  • "Iconoclash"—New Mexico Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, Santa Fe, 2005 - 2006
  • "David Bradley: Restless Native, the Journey"—Nicolaysen Art Museum and Discovery Center, Casper, WY, 1/23/2009 - 5/10/2009
  • "Strong Statements"—Denver Art Museum, 6/10/2015 - 10/15/2017
  • “Disruption: Works from the Vicki and Kent Logan Collection” — Denver Art Museum, 1/13/2022