"Through the Eyes of High Eagle"
by James D. Wicker

The Dacotah Prairie Museum displayed the artwork of James D. Wicker in the Lamont Gallery, 2nd floor. The exhibit called “Through the Eyes of High Eagle” could have been seen through July 14, 2008.

James D. Wicker was born in Watford City, North Dakota and is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, N.D., including Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara people. He attended elementary and high school in Mandaree, North Dakota and graduated in 1982. James took art classes throughout his high school years and there developed his artistic talents. While in high school he entered a piece in an art show competition and won First Place. After graduation, he started full time employment and during this time took a hiatus from actively pursuing art. It has only been recently that he has returned to his love of drawing and hopes some day to devote himself to his artistic expression full time.

Wicker started out using colored pencils for drawing and then began to experiment trying white colored pencil on black Bristol Board. The white line’s effect on the velvety board amazed him and from this experience emerged a completely new outlook on his art. His imagery is of wildlife and how the Native American spirit is connected to Mother Earth and all its inhabitants. His Native American images portray the spirituality of the traditional tribal culture and ceremony. Recently, James has studied to perfect his style through portrayals of African animals and the place they occupy in traditional African culture. Through his artwork, Wicker strives to give all his energy to each drawing and he looks for subjects that catch the eye and have emotion.

This was the second one-man show for Wicker who was a featured artist at the Journey Museum in Rapid City, SD, in 2007. He was pleased to share his art with a new area in east river South Dakota and hopes that people enjoy it as much as he enjoyed creating his artwork.

For information on other past exhibits in the Lamont Gallery, please click here.