BIOGRAPHY
Presley LaFountain
1956 Born in Lynwood, California
Parents: Alfred and Stella LaFountain
Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians; raised on the Turtle
Mountain Indian Reservation, Belcourt, North Dakota. Married with three children.
In 1986, at the 65th Annual Indian Market, Presley LaFountain received the
Wheelwright Museum Award in Santa Fe as the Most Promising Young Sculptor
and Carver. He had been carving sculptures for more than 12 years. Since 1986,
Presley has appeared in numerous shows and exhibitions and his work is
collected by patrons world-wide. He is able to effect deep emotions in all who
view his work due not only to his craftsmanship but also to his vision.
"The influence of being part of the modern world and also being a
Native American Indian has been a source of strength that enables
me to keep my own personal integrity and carve within myself. I want
people to be drawn to look at all sides, lured by the rhythm and the
feeling of the stone. I leave a lot to the imagination. I carve deliberately
without detail; I carve with shadows, using shadows as lines. I don't
want to carve just beautiful objects...
I want to carve a whole spectrum of emotions."
Presley LaFountain - March 1990
Presley has exhibited his work with some of the most important Native American artists, including: Doug Hyde; Earl Biss; Woody Crumbo; Gordon VanWert; Harold Littlebird; Ben Nighthouse-Campbell; Elizabeth Abeyta; Henry Fenseca and John Nieto. This group has evolved into an influential school of artists taking their inspiration from the world-famous Native American sculptor - Alan Houser. They are revolutionary artists of the highest contemporary order who have moved beyond tradition with courage and a universal vision.
Photo with George & Joan Johnson great friends and collectors at Superstition Mountain in Arizona
Presley and his father