Over Door Panel 1935 - 1942

Editor: So, this piece is called "Over Door Panel" by Nicholas Amantea, likely made sometime between 1935 and 1942. It looks like it’s carved into wood and then colored, perhaps with colored pencils? The scene shows a figure on horseback facing a buffalo. What do you see in this piece, and what cultural story might it be telling? Curator: The pairing of the indigenous figure with the buffalo immediately calls forth themes of survival, respect, and the hunt, key symbols of many Plains cultures. Notice how both figures – human and animal – seem equally weighted in the composition, denoting balance, perhaps even symbiosis. Do you observe a feeling of dynamic tension or tranquil coexistence? Editor: I see both, actually. The spear implies tension, the hunt – but there’s a stillness too. I’m drawn to the frame with those star-like carvings... What does that add to our reading? Curator: Those decorative elements provide context and connection. The star motifs could be linked to specific tribal nations or ancestral connections, reminding us of the cultural memory embedded within seemingly simple ornamentation. The geometric frame shapes, contrasted against the organic forms, serve to organize a perceived worldview. Consider how it alters the experience for a viewer versus what would exist without it. Editor: That’s interesting – the geometric versus organic. It frames the story and maybe elevates its importance. Curator: Precisely. By focusing on symbols repeated over generations, we glean insight not only into artistic expression but cultural survival and worldview, despite decades of forced displacement. Editor: It really adds a layer of depth that I initially overlooked. Thank you! Curator: My pleasure. Cultural artifacts speak when we listen.