Wendy Red Star

Crow’s Shadow

Crow’s Shadow, 2021

photographed by Nika Blasser

Her Dreams Are True (Julia Bad Boy)

Part of a series of limited-edition prints handmade by Wendy Red Star over a period of five months during her third residency at Crow’s Shadow, this print features a repeated photographic element with a portrait of Red Star’s great-great-grandmother, Her Dreams Are True. Her English name was Julia Bad Boy. Behind her is a repeating lone star quilt pattern. ‘Star Quilts’ were very precious items that were given away and shared at ceremonial rites. The quilt pattern, stars, and historical photos are all carriers of stories.

The photograph of Julia Bad Boy is sourced from the archives of the National Museum of the American Indian.  The photograph is archived as a glass plate negative, taken circa 1898-1910 by Fred E. Miller on the Apsáalooke (Crow/Absaroke) Reservation in Montana. 

According to the catalog record, Julia’s father was Bad Boy (Sioux) and her mother was Runs Among Them.  She is Wendy Red Star’s great-great grandmother.

Dust

Part of a series of limited-edition prints created over a period of five months during her third residency at Crow’s Shadow, this print features a repeated photographic element with Red Star’s great-great-grandfather, Dust, shown here wearing his Crow Tribal police badge. Behind him is a star quilt pattern, and a background design with constellations intermixed with his name among the points of the stars. The quilt pattern, stars, and historical photos are all carriers of stories.

Four Generations

Part of a series of limited-edition prints created over a period of five months during her third residency at Crow’s Shadow, this print features a repeated photographic element with portraits of members of Red Star’s family: her grandmother, her father who was a marine, her daughter, and herself. Behind them is a lone star quilt pattern which holds the four generations together. ‘Star Quilts’ were very precious items that were given away and shared at ceremonial rites. The quilt pattern, stars, and historical photos are all carriers of stories.