Artist Statement: The title for this piece is taken from Psalm 144:1-2 where David praises God for his blessings in war and government: “Praise the LORD, who is my rock. He trains my hands for war and gives my fingers skill for battle. He is my loving ally and my fortress, my tower of safety, my rescuer. He is my shield, and I take refuge in him. He makes the nations submit to me.” In this passage David pours out names and titles for God, each representing some aspect of God’s character or help. He confesses who he had found God to be - ‘my Rock,’ ‘my loving God,’ ‘my fortress,’ ‘my stronghold,’ ‘my deliverer,’ and ‘my shield’.”
The Native American War shield, like the one in this piece, was originally made by the Plains Indians to defend oneself while on horseback. The shield was made using the skin of the buffalo. More skins for the war shield meant a tougher and stronger War Shield. They would then paint the War Shield with designs such as symbols, signs, and pictures. As the warrior grew in rank, objects like a scalp and turkey feathers were added to his shield to reflect his level and power as a warrior. War shields were small in size as to not restrict movement, and were not intended to protect the body but mainly to deflect the arrows and spears of enemies. Yet, far from simply a matter of preventing bodily harm, these shields also protected warriors from all manners of spiritual threats and forces that intervened in the daily lives of Native American cultures.
I hope to show through all of my indigenous peoples’ themed art that the mystery and ways of Jesus can be embraced in diverse cultures, and to convey that people of all cultures are deeply loved by Jesus and are created in the divine image of God.