Mardi Gras Indian Chiefs, New Orleans (Set of 2)

About the Item: The Mardi Gras Indians represent one of the most colorful features of the annual carnival festivities in New Orleans. These “tribes” of African Americans, taking their cues from Native Americans, have been appearing on the streets at carnival for over 150 years. They spend most of their free time over the entire year leading up to Mardi Gras hand-beading and sewing these magnificent outfits. You can Google “Mardi Gras Indians” for a lot more background, but if you’re a New Orleanian, you probably already know all about them. These two paintings, to be sold as a set, are a truly rare prize. They are the original art, consisting of two framed gouache paintings, that was the basis for a limited-edition lithograph (no longer available) of then-living “Chiefs,” in their hand-made Regalia. The measurements given are for EACH of the two paintings. Again, they will be sold only as a set. The artist began working with Larry Bannock, Big Chief of the Golden Star Hunters from Gertown, back in the 1980s. Here's his Artist's Statement: “Larry Bannock heard I was a "drawer" and wanted me to draw Apaches on horseback on canvas for him to bead. He had visions of what he wanted to show. A few thousand beads later, these scenes would be sewn on his "suit" as "patches". And, on Mardi Gras Day, he would parade his gang around town in mock battles with other tribes. This tradition of black Indians has been going on for decades and is one of the most culturally rich traditions in New Orleans. Over the years, Larry and I became fast friends - artist to artist. We'd done dozens of images and I was happy to step back and just be a witness to the technicolor splendor of the meeting of the tribes. Bannock was a dedicated artisan. He's work all year to have a new suit for carnival and Saint Joseph's Day (called Super Sunday) since it was required among the Indians to make a new suit yearly. When elderly Indians died, I would make a burial shield for their second line funerals. Hurricane Katrina forced me out of New Orleans, but I still live there in my dreams, walking the streets of the French Quarter, drawing.” The paintings are painted with gouache on archival white paper, mounted on wood, and framed in blonde wood. Each measures 44.5" x 17" framed, 37.5 x 10" unframed.