IACB Features Mark Little Elk in a New Exhibition

Mark Little Elk - Artwork

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

October 23, 2018  

RAPID CITY, SOUTH DAKOTA: The Sioux Indian Museum, administered by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, will feature an exhibit of artwork by Mark Little Elk.  The exhibition will run from November 2, 2018 to January 14, 2019.  On November 2, an opening reception will be held for the exhibit from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  The artist will be available to discuss his work during the reception.  The reception and exhibition are both free and open to the public. 

Mark Little Elk, an enrolled member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, is a skilled draughtsman and painter.  He currently resides in Rosebud, South Dakota, where he works full-time as a professional artist.

Mark draws on his own life experiences and dreams to produce ideas for his work.  His lifelike drawings of historical figures such as Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse show incredible realism and attention to detail.   Through the use of historic photos as references, Mark ensures that his drawings capture the spirit and character of these iconic individuals.  Having worked in pencil and graphite drawing for the last 8 years, Mark has recently begun to explore painting.  He primarily uses acrylic paints and commercially prepared canvases to create his artwork.  Each piece begins with a preparatory drawing in graphite done directly on the canvas.  Mark then begins to add paint to the canvas to create bold and vibrant images that capture the attention of the viewer.   After watching a fellow artist create traditional Lakota beadwork, he began applying decorative beadwork to some of his frames.  This combination of traditional craftwork with modern fine art techniques helps to set Little Elk’s unique artwork apart from others. 

Having overcome personal tragedy in his own life, Mark hopes that his art can provide a positive message and a beacon of hope for others who are facing difficult challenges.  This is the first exhibition of Mark Little Elk’s artwork in a museum or gallery setting. 

Prices for the artwork can be obtained by contacting The Journey Museum Store at (605) 394-2201.  To purchase artwork after the exhibit closes, please contact Mark Little Elk at marklittleelk@gmail.com.

* Exhibition brochure  

The Sioux Indian Museum, managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, is located in The Journey Museum, 222 New York Street, Rapid City, SD 57701.  For admission fees and hours of operation please call (605) 394-6923.