It stands like a pillar. Grandpa was the first to lay eyes on it. As we rounded the corner he was immediately taken by the bronze behemoth titled “Cancionde Oracion” – an Allan Houser sculpture nestled in the brush.
“It’s…touching,” he said speaking slowly. “It has an impact – one telling of days we’ll never see again.” Grandpa repeated the comment as he sauntered north through the winding maze, still visibly moved by the ethereal work of art.
Built by Houser in 1983, “Prayer Song,” as it’s translated into English, is just one of more than 24 Houser sculptures now on display at the Denver Botanic Gardens. The exhibit runs through Nov. 13.
“He was an Apache who really came into his artistic maturity in the mid 20th Century,” said Lisa Eldred, director of exhibitions.
Eldred added that at time when American Indians were depicted falsely and erroneously by western films and cartoon caricatures, Houser simultaneously worked to instill what she called “pride of heritage.”
“There wasn’t a lot of positive imagery back then,” she said. “(Houser) was putting out a positive outlook. It was needed and essential.”
Born Allan C. Haozous on June 30, 1914, Houser remains revered as one of the most iconic and influential artists of the 20th Century. Houser died in 1994 at age 80.
“Houser opened the door for new generations of American Indian artists,” said Denver Botanic Gardens Public Relations Manager Will Jones.
Along with Houser’s sculptures, riddled across the garden are numerous placards illustrating and describing how American Indians farm and live in harmony with nature.
“One of the things we’re trying to do here is also highlight American Indian thought,” said Jones. “Not only do we want people to appreciate the art, but also revisit some of the ideas Indians have toward nature. ...