Kevin and Valerie Pourier are Oglala Lakota. Their home and studio are located on the Pine Ridge Reservation, Medicine Root District, just on the beautiful northern edge of the Badlands area of the reservation.

The inspiration, material and source of the Pourier's work is rightly ascribed to (what happens to be the Lakota People's first name) Pte Oyate kin, the Buffalo People. As partners, they are pleased to cultivate the idea that their work not only comes out of the lifestyles of the People, but is, moreover, a new cultural artform.

Working collaboratively, they create elegant - wearable - sculptural forms made of buffalo horn: shaped, carved and inlayed with semi-precious minerals. In the traditional manner, they also create contemporary Buffalo Horn Spoons, many of which have taken top awards at prestigious national art shows. It is no wonder that their simple, yet highly refined artform is much sought after by museums, galleries, and art lovers the world over.

In the manner of the Lakota way, Kevin and Val have learned by doing. Their love for the lifeways of the Lakota people and their love of the art ways of the many northern plains peoples have deepened their understanding and broadened their vision of what Lakota Art was, is, and could be. Throughout their journey they have learned much that helps them to become better human beings.

True to their indigenous roots, Kevin and Valerie say, "We're Lakota who happen to make art."

Photographs by
Alan Ackoff Photography
P.O. Box 9262, Santa Fe, NM 87504 USA
telephone +1 (505) 670-0707 website http://www.NewMexicoPhoto.com