The Guardian - Oklahoma City, OK - Smithsonian Art Inventory Sculptures on Waymarking.com

A 22 ft, 6,000 pound sculpture of a Native American that stands on top of the Oklahoma State Capitol Dome. It is certainly an impressive piece that can be seen from all around the city. The Capitol hosts many school field trips, and this is a sculpture that the kids love to talk about. There is a model of The Guardian inside the Capitol so everyone can see the detail up close. I think the feathers and the spear really add to the appeal of the art work. The stance of the Native American figure really gives the impression he is up there as a Guardian and is on alert!

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From the Smithsonian Inventory Page:

Description:
"Atop the dome of the Oklahoma State Capitol stands a bronze figure of a Native American holding a spear in his right hand and a circular shield in his left hand. The shield features a cross mark symbolizing the four directions, four seasons, and four cycles of life. The number four is a sacred number, and for that reason, the artist placed four feathers at the bottom of the shield. Around the figure's neck there are three rings of beads with a shell in the center. Around the figure's waist is a strap, which hangs down along his leggings and rests on the ground, where it is stuck to the ground with his spear. Staking oneself to the ground was an indication of bravery in the face of insurmountable odds. The figure does not represent any particular tribe, but depicts the themes and traditions from several Indian nations at a time before Europeans arrived."

Dimensions:
H. 22 ft. 9 in. (5,980 lbs.).

Remarks:
The artist, Enoch Kelly Haney, a Seminole-Creek Indian, was selected in a blind contest based on sculpture entries submitted without the names of the sculptors identified. He opted not to take the $50,000 fee for sculpting the piece and gave the statue as a gift from his family. The sculpture's dedication was in conjunction with the annual Red Earth Native American gathering in Oklahoma City and the statue was given a traditional Indian blessing by Cheyenne Peace Chief Lawrence Hart and Cheyenne and Arapaho Peace Chief Gordon Yellowman Sr. IAS files contain copies of newspaper articles from Tulsa World, June 6, 2002, A-11; and Tulsa World, June 8, 2002, D-1.

TITLE: The Guardian ARTIST(S): Enoch Kelly Haney DATE: 2001; Installed June 7, 2002 MEDIUM: Bronze CONTROL NUMBER: IAS 71500596 Direct Link to the Individual Listing in the Smithsonian Art Inventory: [Web Link] PHYSICAL LOCATION: On top of the Oklahoma State Capitol dome DIFFERENCES NOTED BETWEEN THE INVENTORY LISTING AND YOUR OBSERVATIONS AND RESEARCH: none

Visit Instructions:
Please give the date of your visit, your impressions of the sculpture, and at least ONE ORIGINAL PHOTOGRAPH. Add any additional information you may have, particularly any personal observations about the condition of the sculpture.

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Date Logged Log   09/05/2023 littleblkdog visited it 06/02/2023 Benchmark Blasterz visited it 07/08/2020 The Snowdog visited it 03/09/2019 Max and 99 visited it 06/10/2018 Castor007 visited it 04/09/2017 catspa visited it 09/28/2014 KidWrangler visited it 09/28/2014 wb96bobwhite visited it 03/24/2014 veritas vita visited it 08/03/2012 vulture1957 visited it 07/18/2012 50 State Redhead visited it 01/29/2011 hamquilter visited it 03/19/2010 Sneakin Deacon visited it

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