Blackbear Bosin (Comanche-Kiowa)

One of the intriguing elements of Indian art is the focus placed on nature by the artist. For the Indian, all nature is divided into four elements: fire, earth, air, and water. Outstanding Indian art symbolically conveys, with feeling, the importance of these elements to the Indian. Sadly, few Indian artists can transmit this feeling to the non-Indian observer whose culture bears little semblance to the Indian's experience.

One of the best at doing both is Blackbear Bosin, the foremost of American Indian painters. His work spectacularly reaches both cultures - his Keeper of the Plains majestically stands at the confluence of the two rivers in downtown Wichita.

The key to reaching both cultures is what Blackbear calls the "exchange." The exchange is the common area that forms the "basics of harmonious existence." As in his art, he believes it's important for the Center to appeal to different cultures: "We can build a closer relationship through the exchange of meaningful information."

For more information on Blackbear Bosin, check out his biography.