Beauty drew inspiration from a Native American story enacted by the “Fancy Shawl Dancer” who represents a woman who has lost her lover to war. Wrapped in a mourning shawl, she closes herself off from the world. To release her sadness, she cries ten thousand tears and when all of her sorrow is gone, she opens herself up to the world once more. Upon opening her shawl, she discovers that her grief has been transformed into beauty. My knowledge of this story came from Hal Brainerd who interviewed Hanna House, a member of the Bear Clan of the Oneida Nation.
This artwork is available for sale.
Ellen Elmes
PO Box SVCC
Richlands, VA 24641-1101
email: ellen.elmes@sw.edu
phone: 276.964.7205
fax: 276.964.7720