West SouthWest gallery is privileged to be the only gallery in Colorado to carry the bold, brilliant colors of ledger art by Native American artists, Terrance Guardipee and Merle Locke. The growing popularity and increasing value of hard-to-find ledger art has brought many interested visitors to West SouthWest gallery to view and buy these historic documents.

The term “ledger art” originated from the inspired narratives of the Plains Indians from the 1860’s to 1930. When they ran out of buffalo hides or other animal skins on which to paint, they turned to readily available pages of ledgers owned by accountants, traders, explorers, missionaries and soldiers who kept inventories and accounting records. These ledger books, easily portable, became a form of canvas for the Indians’ historical documentation, often drawing over the writings of the previous owner.

One of today’s most prominent ledger artists is Terrance Guardipee, a Blackfeet Native American from Browning, Montana. His use of bold, brilliant colors to depict the history and cultural exploits of his Blackfeet ancestors seem to jump off the pages of the antique ledgers and other old documents he can find. ” I want my ledger paintings to reflect the strength and honor of my Blackfeet ancestors through the use of modern styles, while incorporating their ancient ways and traditions”. Terrance’s work has brought him international acclaim and numerous prestigious awards including First Place in his category at the Santa Fe Indian Market for three consecutive years. His art has been featured at the Smithsonian and the Heard, Eiteljorg, CM Russell and Gene Autry Museums.

Merle Locke, an Ogalala Lakota Indian from South Dakota, has also brought ledger art to new generations. He has spent years tracking down old ledger books among the Lakota and Sioux tribes to paint their pages with historical accounts of their battles and cultural events. He uses watercolor to great effect, creating contrast between the tight script of the ledger page and the free flowing lines and bright colors inherent in his painting style. A true traditionalist, Merle gives his warriors coup sticks instead of bows and arrows because the Lakota believe that it is more honorable to touch the enemy than to kill him.

Dudley Smith, owner of West SouthWest gallery since 1995, takes great pride in his ability to discover rare and unusual arts and crafts on his numerous trips throughout the west and southwest. His discovery of the ledger art by Guardipee and Locke has provided the gallery with an exclusive opportunity to display and sell their unique style and media.

West SouthWest Gallery
257 Fillmore Street
Denver, CO 80206
303-321-4139
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