2023 Windowfront Exhibitions

Leo White Horse and Sue Gallego

White Horse and Gallego | Acrylic on canvas, digital and multimedia

Dates displayed: December 2, 2022-March 19, 2023

Location: 873 Willamette Street

About the artists

Leo White Horse: I am a Sicangu Lakota artist who carries the inspiration of my Native American ancestry of the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in South Dakota. My art is influenced by the quick sketches of cowboys, rodeos and natives from the past that were drawn long ago by my father, Myers White Horse.

After the passing of my parents when I was 12, I was sent to Sky Ranch for Boys. I was chosen to enter the summer program at the University of South Dakota and was introduced to the work of Great Lakota artist Oscar Howe. Later, I attended college for Graphic Design and to study a variety of media for my art, including painting and drawing. I received my design certification and soon became a graphic designer for local sign company where my work included sign design and hand-lettering projects. My career led to illustration. I created graphics for a T-shirt screen printing company that designed apparel for more than 72 universities and colleges across 15 states. These included designing for numerous football bowl games. I later moved on to designing billboards and other artwork for 150 major cities with transit in Canada and throughout the United States.

Currently, I create artwork for online adventure games, which keeps my imagination and design skills sharp. I split my time between commercial work and my native art. Website and sales inquiries, leowhitehorseart.com

Sue Gallego: Historically, in the story of the Lakota people at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Five Mexican Nationals, part of a cattle-drive, married with Lakota women. I am a descendant from one of these unions. In my mother's family, although the older women spoke Lakota for privacy on party phone lines, they were culturally Bohemian, and there were no claims made of having Native blood. Even under duress. I am grateful for my heritage, for the tremendous gift of being all that I am, and for all my relations. My identity as an Indigenous woman has shaped my development as an artist, and represents some of the vital aspects and incentives of my work. I feel a responsibility for depicting the emotional values and story of our people and culture, especially those of personal insight, and vision.  

As a self-taught Artist, I am committed to Painting. I first started to work in color with oil based chalk, and eventually shifted to using Acrylics. I enjoy their ease and simplicity, as well at the methods of their use. I paint directly onto the surface of my choice, usually canvas, or MDF board. I discovered very early that when I drew images first, and then proceeded afterward to paint them, I always exceeded the limits of what I had drawn. I painted out side the lines. It is easier for me to apply paint without the need to draw, and let the painting develop and blossom in that accord. In the beginning of this process, what was at first experimental, and required confidence to explore, became an engaging freedom and discovery, more intuitive. On one hand, being in possession of my actions, and on the other, feeling I am well provided for and lovingly supported. I like to express, that when I paint, I know what love is. I appreciate everything that it requires, and everything that must be given in its fulfillment. Importantly, without discipline and perseverance, I would have nothing to show for my efforts. For sales inquiries, contact Sue.