David P. Bradley, Ghost Dance Revelations: Resurrection
David P. Bradley
1954-
Minnesota Chippewa / Lakota
Date
1996
Medium Specific
Mixed media on canvas, including shell, fabric, paper, photographs, beadwork, horsehair, and metal.
Classification
Mixed Media
Dimensions
48 x 60 in. (121.9 x 152.4 cm.)
Accession Number
2025.35.25.88
Credit
Gift of Zelma Long and Phillip Freese
Biography
Born in Eureka, California, in 1954 to a Minnesota Chippewa mother and an Anglo father, he was raised by a non-Native family in a predominantly white Minnesota community. “Bradley experienced firsthand the racism toward Native peoples prevalent in Minnesota at the time,” according to the Santa Fe New Mexican’s Michael Abatemarco.
This experience closely informed Bradley's career as an artist and activist. Off the canvas, he is just as recognizable for his grassroots campaign to expose the multimillion-dollar industry surrounding counterfeit arts and crafts passed off as authentic native creations.
In a 2015 interview with Cowboys & Indians’ Dana Joseph, a 61-year-old Bradley reflected on that legacy via email. Four years prior, in August 2011, he had been diagnosed with ALS, and due to his deteriorating health, was no longer able to participate in a spoken interview. Answering in text, the artist explained that despite knowing his own career would suffer for speaking out, he couldn’t just step aside and watch rampant exploitation continue in the art world.
This experience closely informed Bradley's career as an artist and activist. Off the canvas, he is just as recognizable for his grassroots campaign to expose the multimillion-dollar industry surrounding counterfeit arts and crafts passed off as authentic native creations.
In a 2015 interview with Cowboys & Indians’ Dana Joseph, a 61-year-old Bradley reflected on that legacy via email. Four years prior, in August 2011, he had been diagnosed with ALS, and due to his deteriorating health, was no longer able to participate in a spoken interview. Answering in text, the artist explained that despite knowing his own career would suffer for speaking out, he couldn’t just step aside and watch rampant exploitation continue in the art world.
Date of Bio