*Marshall: Artist Reception at SMAC Gallery- John Knife Sterner's "Let my Prayer Rise Up"

Artist Bio:

I am an Artist, Teacher, Coach, Sicangu Lakota, Parent, Husband, Brother, and Son.

I have been involved in art in so many aspects; I have taught art for 28 years…from first graders through university students. I have taught workshops, small groups, community programs and university connected presentations.
I make personal and public art; I work in many mediums: I sculpt in bronze, iron and fabricated steel, I make graphic art on the computer and paper, and I love to paint.  The plains of Minnesota and South Dakota are my heritage, what makes me who I am.  I live in southwestern Minnesota and was born in Flandreau, South Dakota. The opportunity to create art that is culturally incorporating my heritage is an important part of my personal journey to find who I am as a person, instructor, and artist. My personal work is and always has been the search for my belonging to my relatives.  Almost all of my work includes Wanbli (eagle) or the world they see.  I see their image in all my work and whenever I am creating, their image appears and I am driven to draw and sculpt them or what the Wanbli sees. The eagle represents my spiritual and holy side as well and my connection to family.