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'u'nity sculpture goes public
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We were delighted to recently participate in the Utah Tech Sear’s Art Museum – 37th Annual Invitational Art Show & Sale from February 17 – March 31, 2024. We put forward two individual pieces and launched our collaborative ‘U’nity sculpture at this event, each receiving a place. You can still view these art works online at our Hóčoka Life Gallery.
Supporting the Arts
Four Winds Wellness proceeds of the sale go towards further ‘Unity’ projects, wellbeing programs and community restoration.
‘U’nity begins with ‘U’
Embarking on a transformative journey akin to a sculpture, our individual paths mirror the molding process from dust into bodily form. Layers accumulate, resembling the wax in sculpting, only to melt away through our refiners fire. Sometimes, our exterior hardens, necessitating more intensive excavation to unveil the genuine essence, or gold, within. Chipping away at this exterior leads us back to our center (hóčoka), opening avenues to comprehend our true potential and purpose.
rewriting our story
The site selected by first nation forebears for this sculpture, has witnessed numerous transformations throughout its history —where change is the only constant. The location’s historical narrative urges us to rewind time, delving into our shared past and reflecting on the lessons learned that can inform our actions today. It serves as a testament to an introspective journey, prompting us to honestly assess the imprints we are leaving behind and consider the legacy we are bestowing on future generations.
Heháka Sápa’s (Black Elk) communion with the six grandfathers—the four cardinal directions, along with the sky and earth—took place on Tunkasila Sakpe Paha (Six Grandfathers Mountain), now recognized as Mount Rushmore.
The first nations forebears that called out to Hoksila Lakota in a dream over 15 years ago, have chosen this time to be resurrected from the unseen into the physical matter of our earthly mother within this sculpture.
Tunkasila Sakpe Paha
(Six Grandfathers Mountain)
the cycle of ‘u’nity
The back story is the story
In these turbulent times when the nation’s constitutional fabric is fragile, where “brother will fight against brother, neighbor against neighbor, city against city, kingdom against kingdom”, this sculpture has come forth from the ancient ones to remind us of the cyclical nature of our earthly existence. Upgrading our inner constitution lays the foundation for discovering our sacred tree within, fostering true freedom, unity, and oneness.
it's an inside job
This narrative serves as the backstory for the entire sculpture, reminding us to honor the wisdom of our ancestors and recognize the sacrifices they made for our existence.
Heháka Sápa envisioned a future where all people would come together harmoniously under the Tree of Life to mend humanity’s sacred hoop. This vision emphasizes the importance of reassessing history with a fresh perspective and rewriting it based on the insights of previous eras.
The present moment necessitates the creation of a collective constitution, spotlighting the overlooked collaboration between Native Americans and our nation’s founding figures in seeking ways to coexist as brothers and sisters, all fashioned by a single creator. Let us come together in oneness to share this narrative and cultivate a spirit of compassion and reconciliation within ourselves, thereby aiding in the integration of humanity’s collective Sacred Circle and the unity of our nation.
back of sculpture:
Heháka Sápa WITHIN the tree of life
The circular nature of our existence
“The power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round . . . The sky is round and the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls, birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds. And they were always set in a circle, the nation’s hoop.”
Quote from Heháka Sápa (Black Elk)
east
Tatanka-Iyotanka (Sitting Bull), placed left on the sculpture, unified many of the first nation tribes to stand together with courage to protect the people, their hunting grounds, and a sacred way of living.
south
Heháka Glešká (Spotted Elk), second from left, knew what it was to stand with principle, and was willing to sacrifice it all, knowing that there is no separation between sky and earth – that “death is life, and life is death”. Poignantly illustrated when he and a small band of mostly women and children, weak from famine and cold had already surrendered, when their lives were lost through miscommunication.
West
Wambli Wiwášte (Eagle Woman), second from the right, was a voice and living example of unity – adept at integrating and balancing both worlds without compromising her integrity. She was instrumental in encouraging the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1968, later ceded with the discovery of gold in the Black Hills.
The sequence of the first nation forebears on this Unity sculpture, align with the medicine wheel in Heháka Sápa’s vision
North
Heháka Sápa (Black Elk), far right of the front of the sculpture, and on the back, is fitting to complete the cycle of renewal and unity. His vision of communing with the Six Grandfathers included the coming together of all nations under the sacred tree in oneness, to restore the collective hoop of humanity.
The circular nature of our existence
“The power of the world always works in circles, and everything tries to be round . . . The sky is round and the earth is round like a ball, and so are all the stars. The wind in its greatest power whirls, birds make their nest in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours. The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing, and always come back again to where they were. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds. And they were always set in a circle, the nation’s hoop.”
Quote from Heháka Sápa (Black Elk)
east
Tatanka-Iyotanka (Sitting Bull), placed left on the sculpture, unified many of the first nation tribes to stand together with courage to protect the people, their hunting grounds, and a sacred way of living.
south
Heháka Glešká (Spotted Elk), second from left, knew what it was to stand with principle, and was willing to sacrifice it all, knowing that there is no separation between sky and earth – that “death is life, and life is death”. Poignantly illustrated when he and a small band of mostly women and children, weak from famine and cold had already surrendered, when their lives were lost through miscommunication.
West
Wambli Wiwášte (Eagle Woman), second from the right, was a voice and living example of unity – adept at integrating and balancing both worlds without compromising her integrity. She was instrumental in encouraging the signing of the Treaty of Fort Laramie in 1968, later ceded with the discovery of gold in the Black Hills.
North
Heháka Sápa (Black Elk), far right of the front of the sculpture, and on the back, is fitting to complete the cycle of renewal and unity. His vision of communing with the Six Grandfathers included the coming together of all nations under the sacred tree in oneness, to restore the collective hoop of humanity.
The sequence of the first nation forebears on this Unity sculpture, align with the medicine wheel in Heháka Sápa’s vision
sculpture artisans
Artist and renowned sculptor Jerry Anderson, and oral traditionalist and artist, Hoksila Lakota, teamed up to create re-sculpt ‘his’-story with this symbolic work called ‘U’nity. Two nations working together in collaboration with first nations forebears, to share a message with the fragmented nations of humanity.
Artist Biography
Jerry Anderson
Artist Biography
Hoksila Lakota
donate to our collective cause
Inside every piece of clay is an original creation
Together we can rebuild communities, by restoring one person at a time.
We believe that all change comes first at an individual level, creating a ripple effect that transforms and unifies communities and, eventually, nations.
And what better place to start than with our youth — building resilient leaders that will shape the communities of tomorrow.
Through our charitable arm, we’re dedicated to investing in youth, providing them with equal opportunities for self-discovery and skill development, all while engaging them in community revitalization projects. By fostering intergenerational connections and sustainable initiatives, we aim to create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.
Our commitment is giving back up to 90% of the profits generated from project donations and sponsorships, gallery sales, and merchandise, into the development and facilitation of personal well-being programs, often delivered in conjunction with a community improvement initiative.
We are grateful for your support.
Wopilamayelo (Thank You)
donate to our collective cause
Inside every piece of clay is an original creation
Together we can rebuild communities, by restoring one person at a time.
We believe that all change comes first at an individual level, creating a ripple effect that transforms and unifies communities and, eventually, nations.
And what better place to start than with our youth — building resilient leaders that will shape the communities of tomorrow.
Through our charitable arm, we’re dedicated to investing in youth, providing them with equal opportunities for self-discovery and skill development, all while engaging them in community revitalization projects. By fostering intergenerational connections and sustainable initiatives, we aim to create inclusive communities where everyone can thrive.
Our commitment is giving back up to 90% of the profits generated from project donations and sponsorships, gallery sales, and merchandise, into the development and facilitation of personal well-being programs, often delivered in conjunction with a community improvement initiative.
We are grateful for your support.
Wopilamayelo (Thank You)