Blackfoot artist Stone Akin creates some of the most compelling Native American art we've ever seen.
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I was born a descendant of the Blackfoot and Cherokee and I am a council member with the White River Band Cherokees. My Indian heritage is a matter of great honor, dignity and pride in my life.
I do not look upon myself as an artist but rather a historian and teacher of the Native American culture and spirituality. Every piece tells a story, reflects upon the culture or respects the tribal people through design. I bless each piece and pray that it will open the eyes of those who look upon it and cause them to ponder the great spirituality of my ancestors.
Gourds are one of the mediums chosen because of the ancient connection to the Native American way of life. Each gourd takes over a year to grow and dry thus making it an intricate part of Mother Earth. It takes a great deal of work to clean and prepare each piece as a natural canvas, which can serve as my blackboard for instruction. I meticulously burn each detail and then use natural forms of color bring to my message to life.
I begin my search for spirituality as a young boy. My Native American ancestry made me aware that nature had a special place in my understanding and purpose for being. I pursued Theology and religion thinking this would provide the answers, but found only more questions. Eventually I found my way back to the way of my ancestral oneness with creation. It is here I am able to fulfill my destiny.
Self-expression has always been a part of my life, from music to woodcarving. As an Architectural Designer, even my vocation took on a creative nature. I attended numerous colleges and universities with degrees in Theology, Psychology, Architectural Design and studies in Art and a number of other subjects. Now I spend my time creating pieces of an artistic spiritual nature, teaching, lecturing and holding Native American Descendants meetings.
My gourds and other spiritual works of art appear in Native American Museums and sell in Galleries all across the country.
Peace and Blessings
Stone Akin
