Dan HorseChief was born in Muskogee, Oklahoma in 1969. His Pawnee father died at an early age, leaving Dan to be raised by his Cherokee mother, Mary Adair. It was his mother who taught Dan to appreciate and understand Cherokee culture and to refine his ability as an artist.
Dan received formal training as a student of Ruthe Blalock Jones at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma, and at the Institute of the American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he received an AA in Museum Studies. He has also attended Northeastern State University at Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
His preferred paint mediums are gouache, acrylic, and oil. His sculptures and paintings have received “Best of Show”, as well as other awards, in local and national showings.
The study of world history has always been an interest, and Dan has done a number of paintings illustrating historical events throughout the world. He was invited to the Versilles in France to show some of his historical work. His paintings and drawings have been used to illustrate a number of small books, and a painting he did of events at the Little Big Horn was on the cover of an issue of the magazine issued by the National Park Service. He has also designed and cast miniature models of various world areas and periods.
Dan’s recent work has been in bronze sculpture. His most recent installation was a 9 1/2′ bronze sculpture and a painting depicting Sequoyah, the inventor of the Cherokee syllabary. These works were commissioned by Northeastern State University, where the sculpture was placed in the center of the campus. Two additional large bronze sculptures were commissioned by the Cherokee Nation and will soon be installed on the campus of Sequoyah Schools, also located in Tahlequah.
Dan has a daughter and a son. He currently resides in Sequoyah County near Sallisaw, Oklahoma.
Tribal Affiliation: Cherokee Nation
Daniel Horsechief’s Art Gallery
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