Follow Wade on IG: https://www.instagram.com/wade_patton/
From Wade Patton:
The spare beauty of the prairie resonates in my work. I’m an enrolled member of the Oglala
Lakota Tribe and grew up on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation surrounded by a rich culture of
music and art. After obtaining a BA in art from Black Hills State University and having a solo exhibit
at the Sioux Indian Museum in Rapid City I decided to move away.
It took leaving South Dakota for me to find the voice in my most recent body of works. Yet, while
pursuing other art opportunities on the east coast, I longed for home.
Living on the east coast, I began expressing what I missed, the beauty and splendor of the
Black Hills and the skies of South Dakota. I started to draw landscapes and clouds, as a reminder
of home.
Something clicked, not only in my artistic expression, but with collectors and galleries. Their response
was unexpected, but welcomed. I started sending work back home for exhibits and to
galleries, and was getting recognition.
I realized how much I needed to return, I missed my family and I needed to pursue my art in the
place where I find the most inspiration. That decision brought me straight into the thriving Native
art scene that clearly wasn’t here when I left.
Interestingly, when I moved back people would say, ‘Oh, you’re the cloud guy!’. People didn’t
know me, but knew my work. I’m reacquainting myself with the land and my ancestry. This is
most prevalent in my new works and it’s exciting for me as an artist to look forward to the future
in the works that I’ll produce.
Since being home, I have been more involved in the art scene, involved with the community
more and have gained more respect with my art. I have been able to be here and explain more
on a one on one basis with people which is essential for an artist to sustain themselves with
their art.
“With the elegant line and an almost hypnotic use of pattern, Patton draws the viewer into his
interpretation of the natural elements and seasonal changes of the land. His mastery of graphite
evokes the subtlest of phenomenon and his spare use of color is inspired by beadwork, orchestrates
the prairie grasses, stormy skies and then power of the buffalo.’
-Deborah Mitchell, Director
APEX Gallery
