Jaune Quick-to-see Smith

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith was a remarkable artist whose work celebrated the rich history and identity of Native American communities in the United States. Her dynamic art reinterpreted her cultural heritage, integrating it into the narrative of contemporary American life. She passed away in January 2024, yet Smith's vibrant legacy continues to resonate.

Her latest piece, King of the Mountain, was displayed at Frieze Sculpture 2025. This captivating sculpture, co-produced by Garth Greenan Gallery, New York, and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London, showcases Smith's visionary interpretation of a canoe, transforming her imaginative concept into physical form.

Jaune Quick-to-See Smith’s unique sculpture honours the legacy of Indigenous peoples. The bronze artwork encourages physical engagement, inviting recognition of Indigenous land. The work deeply connects with ancestral traditions while integrating into the modern environment.

The figure of the bison symbolises Big Medicine, a rare white bison that lived in the Flathead Indian Range in Montana during the 1900s. The bison held great significance for Smith’s community; however, in 1961, the U.S. government confiscated it. After over sixty years, Big Medicine was finally returned to the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation. This sculpture tells the story of the bison's journey home.

Initially created in her studio, our Rock Tavern team helped with stabilising and reassembling the piece. The canoe was directly burned out, while elements like the boulder and bison were created using rubber moulds cast from wax patterns. Once completed, the sculpture was finished with a patina on the canoe and boulder, while the bison received painted detail.

Measuring over 10 feet long, approximately 2 feet wide, and nearly 3 feet tall, with a weight of 383 pounds, this bronze sculpture stands as a powerful testament to Smith's artistry and her enduring impact on the representation of Native American culture in contemporary art.