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Dakota Midday: Lakota Artist Renelle White Buffalo

Artist Renelle White Buffalo wants to communicate traditional symbols in a modern contemporary and abstract way. "I paint between the lines of what is expected as a Native American, in a pop-culture driven world, and abstract what I feel as a Lakota woman,” she says in her artist statement.

White Buffalo's paintings and prints have included abstract images of feathers and headdresses with a mix of traditional Lakota colors. She grew up on the Rosebud reservation and recently moved to New York City from Los Angeles and is gaining a national and international reputation for her work. She spent three semesters at Northern State University before a professor convinced her to pursue art professionally and so she transferred to Iowa State University in Ames.

White Buffalo is back at Northern State working with students this week. There’s also a new exhibit of her work at NSU’s Lincoln Gallery through June 5 with a public reception today from 4 to 7. Renelle White Buffalo joined Dakota Midday and discussed her artwork and journey from Rosebud to New York City.

You can see some of her work here.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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