User Rating: / 1
PoorBest 

ANADARKO, Okla. – The Southern Plains Indian Museum administered by the Indian Arts and Crafts Board of the U.S. Department of the Interior, announces the opening of a promotional exhibition, Harvey Pratt Paintings SMarch 22 from 2:00 p.m. -5:00 p.m.  The artist will be present at the opening to discuss his artwork at 3:30 p.m. in the Rosemary Ellison Gallery.

“Little People Dance for Kills His Enemy First” by Harvey Pratt

Harvey Pratt is an accomplished master artist.  He is a self taught, multi-talented artist whose first artistic endeavor was not painting but sculpting his own toys or action figures from clay given to him and his younger brother by their grandfather.  He is a Cheyenne and Arapaho tribal member and has been recognized by the Cheyenne People as an Outstanding Southern Cheyenne.  Pratt received one of the highest honors; induction into the Southern Cheyenne Chief’s Lodge as one of their Cheyenne Peace Chiefs.

Pratt graduated high school from Saint Patrick’s Indian Mission, Anadarko, Okla. He earned an A.A. S. degree in Police Science from Oklahoma State University in Oklahoma City. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran, 1962-1965, served in Vietnam, Air Rescue and Da Nang Air Base Security. From 1965-72 he was a member of the Midwest City Police Department, Patrol Division, Investigative Division. He joined the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) in 1972 as a narcotics investigator and retired in 1992 as an Assistant Director. Currently employed as the police forensic artist by the OSBI, Pratt is the only full-time police forensic artist in Oklahoma and is considered one of the leading forensic artists in the United States.

His portfolio reflects a variety of themes; his paintings and sculptures are about tradition, death , the Cheyenne People, warriors and both sides of the law. History, truthfulness, tribulation and humanity’s essence are his favorite topics.  Creative expression and artistry touch all facets of Pratt’s life and is an unmatched blend of art and law enforcement experience with Native American insight. He has designed logos, seals, medals, and memorials for both the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes and Oklahoma Law Enforcement agencies.  A recent project, The Hoopa Project: Bigfoot Encounters in California by Dave Paulides, Director of the North American Bigfoot Search, released in 2008, features 16 forensic sketches by Harvey Pratt.  Harvey was a commissioned to meet with individuals who had witnessed Bigfoot and Bigfoot activity.  Based on interviews with the witnesses, Harvey completed the 16 sketches of Bigfoot featured in the project book.  The solo exhibition at the Southern Plains Indian Museum features the paintings of Harvey Pratt but will include a recently completed three piece resin wall sculpture titled My Dark Passenger.  The three pieces, measuring 7” to 17” depict Bigfoot hands and head.  Each piece is hand painted.

The artwork by Harvey Pratt will be on view through May 2, 2009.  Gallery hours are 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday.  On April 18, 2009 at 1:00 p.m., Harvey Pratt will return to the Southern Plains Indian Museum for a fascinating discussion of the great mystery of Bigfoot.

The Southern Plains Indian Museum is located at 715 East Central Blvd (Hwy 62) Anadarko, OK 73005.  For more information call the museum at 405-247-6221. Admission to all museum exhibits is free.