First of all I want to thank my great friend Eldon Francisco from Laguna Pueblo in New Mexico for helping me with the research to make this sculpture as authentic as possible. This sculpture is dedicated not only to the legendary war chief, Geronimo, but it is with great pleasure and honor to dedicate this to his descendents who are carrying the Chiricahua Apache tradition as demonstrated by actor and a model, Huston Geronimo. My sculpture is also a homage to my late maestro friend, Alan Houser, who invited me to his studio and to special private events in which I became aware of his love for his music and his respect for the flute.
This traditional but modernistic southwest piece is inspired from the new generation of Native Americans that are so proud of their roots with a firm vision of the future and the eternal respect for their land and spirituality.
The dress of the Chiricahua is an earth tone patina and transitions from brown in the bottom depicting mother earth to greenery at the waist to the blue-turquoise sky in the shoulder. The boots are traditional Apache boots which are the foundation of the survival gear of Geronimo and his braves and up to today adds a unique detail for this proud group.
The front of the piece surrounding the Apache moccasins I represent the Apache Nation desert orography so vital to Geronimo to hide and survive. The blanket that represents a horse print in her chest dedicated to the apache ponies of their warriors.
Her flute is held by a firm but gentle hand and from there an "S" line gives grace and movement which translates in a stylized crow wing at her side. Please put the art piece on a lazy susan and turn the piece to see the detail just described.
Her hair is braided and wraps in a traditional way and the top of her head I placed a couple of eagle feathers which is not only an ornament but is deeply ceremonial and they are attached in real life to her hair by a leather lace.
