Women's History Month: A Female Perspective on the Historically Male Art Form of Ledger Art

Caddo/Winnabego Artist, Dolores Purdy, emphasizes her spin on the traditionally male-dominated ledger art. Join in as Dolores takes you through the history of traditional leger art and then proceeds into an artist talk! In the end, there will be a Q&A. 

Contemporary Ledger art uses the same medium as the Native ancestors but with some contemporary twists.  Ledger Art started as a pictographic story told within a village or society showing the warrior artist bravery and conquests on hides and Tee-pees. European contact brought the paper and color pencils/watercolors to the Plains Native people and all were highly coveted.  In the past, the drawings were done by men and considered “Warrior Art”. 

For nearly 2 decades she has followed the gender-specific traditional art form by using the same medium of antique paper and color pencils, only creating a contemporary version from a female perspective.  Her work veers far from the usual imagery typically seen in most contemporary ledger art. The images can be humorous or serious while immersed in Native American heritage, iconography, and pop culture. Peter Maxx and the psychedelic pop-art movement have been an influence in her artwork in the past and she feels this is the perfect genre to continue.  Other influences in her art are the Art Deco movement and Japanese textiles.  Tongue-in-cheek humor, bright colors, and vivid whimsical imagery is her way to stand out from the other ledger artists as well as honoring the ancestors. Her images may represent Bison hunters riding past colorful tipis, or bright Cadillacs racing across the page. 

About Dolores Purdy

Dolores is a boundary breaking artist who combines contemporary ideas with historical significance while maintaining cultural influences - Bryant Nagel Galleries

Trained as a watercolorist, it was her primary medium until she “discovered” ledger art while researching family genealogy. In the late 1990s, as she worked on family genealogy, she discovered a Caddo warrior who had been imprisoned in Ft Marion in 1875. Fascinated as to why a Native American warrior in Oklahoma was arrested and taken to Florida, her research began. She soon discovered the art coming out of the prison from 1875-1878. “I researched the historic ledgers and read every book I could find as well as numerous road trips to see some of the old ones. After extensive research, this resulted in pursuing this art medium”.

As the daughter of a career Air Force father, relocating often while growing up, time spent with family in Oklahoma was where it felt most like “home”. The stories and family connections were very important to her as a child.

Contemporary Ledger art uses the same medium as the Native ancestors but with some contemporary twists. Ledger Art started as a pictographic story told within a village or society showing the warrior artist bravery and conquests on hides and Tee-pees. European contact brought the paper and color pencils/watercolors to the Plains Native people and all were highly coveted. In the past, the drawings were done by men and considered “Warrior Art”.

For nearly 2 decades she has followed the gender-specific traditional art form by using the same medium of antique paper and color pencils, only creating a contemporary version from a female perspective. Her work veers far from the usual imagery typically seen in most contemporary ledger art. The images can be humorous or serious while immersed in Native American heritage, iconography, and pop culture. Peter Maxx and the psychedelic pop-art movement have been an influence in her artwork in the past and she feels this is the perfect genre to continue. Other influences in her art are the Art Deco movement and Japanese textiles. Tongue-in-cheek humor, bright colors, and vivid whimsical imagery is her way to stand out from the other ledger artists as well as honoring the ancestors. Her images may represent Bison hunters riding past colorful tipis, or bright Cadillacs racing across the page.

She has enjoyed working with institutions, universities, and museums presenting what she has learned in her research as well as presenting her work. A few places she has presented include the National Museum of the American Indian, Washington DC; Kansas Museum of History Topeka KS, William and Mary College, Williamsburg, VA; Brown University Providence RI; University of Minnesota, Duluth MI; Museum of Indian Art and Culture, Santa FE, NM, and University of California at San Diego, La Jolla CA, among others.

As well as a guest lecturer she has been mentioned or had articles written in numerous magazines and newspapers. A few include the Santa Fe New Mexican, Southwest art magazine, Cowboys and Indians Magazine, and Native American Art Magazine. She is also one of four subjects in a book titled Women and Ledger Art, written by Dr. Richard Pearce of Wheaton College and printed by the University of Arizona Press (2013).

Some of the permanent collections include the National Museum of American Indian, The White House, Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, Haffeneffer Museum, William and Mary College, Tweed Museum, Kansas Historical Society, and Museum of Indian Arts and Culture.

Artist statement: “Happy Art makes a Happy Home”.