Wolf Trail On The War Trail – John Pepion
Wolf Trail On The War Trail – John Pepion
My Blackfoot name is Wolf Trail, a moniker that also embodies a central character in my artistic endeavors. My work delves into the multifaceted identity of a contemporary Blackfoot individual, weaving together narratives from our creation stories, Kutoyis stories, our history of conflict, and the contemporary challenges we face. I’m deeply rooted in the Blackfoot tradition of war art, drawing inspiration from the rich visual legacy of pictographs, painted lodges, war shirts, winter counts, and ledger art. These forms served as powerful means of storytelling and historical record-keeping, and my work seeks to carry this tradition forward.
My name is John Isaiah Pepion, and I am a Plains Indian graphic artist from the Piikani Band of the Blackfoot Confederacy. I’m based out of the Blackfeet reservation in north-central Montana, where the Rocky Mountains meet the Plains. I am best known for my ledger art, which is an art tradition that developed in Plains tribes: as the buffalo hide we traditionally used for painting became scarce, Plains people were forced to adapt by making artwork on ledger paper from accounting books. I come from a family of artists, and pictographic art has been in my family for hundreds of years.
Date:January 25th, 2025 - March 21st, 2025
Location:Casa - Saokitapi Gallery
Casa Program Guide
The Casa Program Guide is produced three times a year; Winter, Spring/Summer and Fall. Inside the guide find listings for the upcoming class and workshop schedule, upcoming exhibitions at The Gallery, information about artists in residence and seasonal events in the building. Program guides are free. Pick-up guides at Casa or at facilities throughout the city.