Tatanka
Digital Design, 2021
This commissioned artwork is a digitally made commemorative design meant to be worn as a tattoo. Per the client’s request, the design is inspired by a specific scene in the movie adaptation of Dances With Wolves, wherein Union Army officer Dunbar successfully communicates with Lakota tribesman Kicking Bird by emulating a buffalo, or “Tatanka”. I chose to build the frame of the buffalo’s head around the hand positions of each of these two characters’ impersonation as they make first contact.
Since this design not only serves to honor a family member, but also integrates elements of the Lakota people’s belief system, I did my best to tread as carefully and respectfully as possible in choosing (and staying as true to form to) the symbols that give this piece its spiritual meaning - namely, that of “Kapemni” (“twisting”), the inverted triangle symbolizing Sun and Earth around which the Lakota people base their relationship with the Heavens.
For more information on process, orders, and fulfillment, please visit my FAQ page.
Digital Design, 2021
This commissioned artwork is a digitally made commemorative design meant to be worn as a tattoo. Per the client’s request, the design is inspired by a specific scene in the movie adaptation of Dances With Wolves, wherein Union Army officer Dunbar successfully communicates with Lakota tribesman Kicking Bird by emulating a buffalo, or “Tatanka”. I chose to build the frame of the buffalo’s head around the hand positions of each of these two characters’ impersonation as they make first contact.
Since this design not only serves to honor a family member, but also integrates elements of the Lakota people’s belief system, I did my best to tread as carefully and respectfully as possible in choosing (and staying as true to form to) the symbols that give this piece its spiritual meaning - namely, that of “Kapemni” (“twisting”), the inverted triangle symbolizing Sun and Earth around which the Lakota people base their relationship with the Heavens.
For more information on process, orders, and fulfillment, please visit my FAQ page.
Digital Design, 2021
This commissioned artwork is a digitally made commemorative design meant to be worn as a tattoo. Per the client’s request, the design is inspired by a specific scene in the movie adaptation of Dances With Wolves, wherein Union Army officer Dunbar successfully communicates with Lakota tribesman Kicking Bird by emulating a buffalo, or “Tatanka”. I chose to build the frame of the buffalo’s head around the hand positions of each of these two characters’ impersonation as they make first contact.
Since this design not only serves to honor a family member, but also integrates elements of the Lakota people’s belief system, I did my best to tread as carefully and respectfully as possible in choosing (and staying as true to form to) the symbols that give this piece its spiritual meaning - namely, that of “Kapemni” (“twisting”), the inverted triangle symbolizing Sun and Earth around which the Lakota people base their relationship with the Heavens.
For more information on process, orders, and fulfillment, please visit my FAQ page.
