FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2014

CONTACT: Jeff Mammenga, Media Coordinator, (605) 773-6000, Jeff.Mammenga@state.sd.us

Amiotte Art Catalog Newest Book From South Dakota State Historical Society

PIERRE, S.D.—Renowned artist Arthur Amiotte offers insight into the early reservation period in the latest catalog of his work from the South Dakota State Historical Society. “Transformation and Continuity in Lakota Culture: The Collages of Arthur Amiotte, 1988–2014” tells the fascinating story of Amiotte’s great-grandfather, Standing Bear, and gives readers access to the history that drives this world-famous artist.

Drawing inspiration from Standing Bear’s legacy, Amiotte uses ephemera, historical and modern photographs and artworks, and the remembered stories of his relatives to compose collages that tell the story of a culture and people in transition. The vivid juxtaposition of materials allows viewers to experience the nuances and changes in the Lakota people’s environment, values, and way of life.

“Arthur’s singular gift is his ability to communicate both visually and verbally, and to do so with humor, grace, knowledge and insight,” says Janet Catherine Berlo, who contributes an essay to the book.

The catalog contains artwork from an exhibit at the Museum of the South Dakota State Historical Society at the Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. Also included are essays by Louis S. Warren, who relates the life of Standing Bear in a brief biography, and Berlo’s, which places Amiotte’s collages in their artistic and anthropological contexts.

On Saturday, April 26, the museum will host a special “Meet the Artist & Catalog Signing” event with Amiotte from 10-11 a.m. CDT and from 1-3 p.m. There is no fee to attend and refreshments will be available to visitors.  

The Amiotte exhibit closes at the Cultural Heritage Center on Aug. 24. The exhibit will then travel to four other museums in South Dakota over the next 21 months. It may be viewed at the Heritage Center at Red Cloud Indian School from Sept. 10 to Dec. 15; the Washington Pavillion in Sioux Falls from Dec. 26, 2014 to April 26, 2015; the Akta Lakota Museum in Chamberlain from May 5 to Oct. 1, 2015; and the Dahl Arts Center in Rapid City from Oct. 10, 2015 to Jan. 6, 2016.   

“Transformation and Continuity in Lakota Culture: The Collages of Arthur Amiotte, 1988–2014” is available for $29.95 plus shipping and tax and can be purchased from most bookstores or ordered directly from the South Dakota Historical Society Press. Visit www.sdshspress.com, email orders@sdshspress.com, or call (605) 773-6009.

-30-

The South Dakota State Historical Society is a division of the Department of Tourism. The Department of Tourism is comprised of Tourism, the South Dakota Arts Council and the State Historical Society. The Department is led by Secretary James D. Hagen. The State Historical Society, an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, is headquartered at the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center in Pierre. The center houses the society’s world-class museum, the archives, and the historic preservation, publishing and administrative/development offices. Call (605) 773-3458 or visit www.history.sd.gov for more information. The society also has an archaeology office in Rapid City; call (605) 394-1936 for more information.