Fort Marion and Beyond: Native American Ledger Drawings, 1965-1900

Donald Ellis Gallery is pleased to present Fort Marion and Beyond: Native American Ledger Drawings, 1865-1900, a major survey of Plains pictographic art. The exhibition will run between January 25 - March 2, to coincide with Master Drawings New York, January 26 - February 3, 2024.

The core of the presentation is formed by a group of drawings created by Cheyenne and Kiowa warrior artists Nokkoist (Bear's Heart, 1851-1882) and Ohettoint (1852-1934) during their incarceration at Fort Marion in St. Augustine, Florida between 1875-1878. This body of work is widely considered the most important group of Plains pictographic drawings for sale in over half a century. The exhibition also showcases some of the finest Ledger Drawings created from the pre-reservation to the reservation periods. Uniquely placed at the intersection of art, documentary, and storytelling, the importance of Ledger Art in preserving and recounting the shared histories of Plains nations and the U.S.A. cannot be overstated.

Donald Ellis Gallery has exhibited Plains Ledger Art for over two decades. Fort Marion and Beyond: Native American Ledger Drawings, 1865-1900 is the culmination of our endeavor to bring these works to widespread public and institutional attention, showcasing the most important group of Plains pictographic art since the groundbreaking exhibition Plains Indian Ledger Drawings at the Drawings Center, New York, in 1996.