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Native
Lands: The West of the American Indian 1981-2000.
Culmination
of a Dream
by Ethol Bohnhoff.
Native Lands is more than just a collection of photographs.
It is an insight into American Indian people, culture and disposition
of their land. Andrew Hogarth was fortunate to acquire such photographs
arising from his deep abiding interest in American Indian people,
culture and history and their willing response during the period
1981 - 2000.
Hogarth
invites us to accompany him and step back in time to understand
and view Native America. Native America: mysterious, compelling
and sometimes harsh, but always the people continuum. The American
Indian evolving in custom and history until their rude displacement
by latter day Americans. Thankfully, the heart and mind of Hogarth
responded to his dream and deep abiding interest in the bygone
era of Indian life and culture in Native America.
The
wall story is filled with historical background complimenting
a delightful and well-photographed collection of persons and places
in frozen image; capturing a sense of stillness usually associated
with a mystery to which the soul responds immediately. Creating
a disquiet of the heart about present day values. A sense of loss:
indefinable, obscure.
The
very starkness of some of the photographs touches the depth of
soul of even the most casual observer and imparts a majesty of
spirit unknown, nevertheless, still solidly emanating from the
past of the American Indian in his native land. Even without the
text the photographs are gems. However, the text makes them meaningful
and the heart stirs.
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