About the Indian Portraits

With these paintings, I am concentrating on one particular generation of American Indians.

A generation that was born at a time where white people were rather rare in the west and Indian life seemed to be still in order. Growing up and much of their adult life, this generation, experienced a major change.

At the end of their generation, life, as they knew it no longer existed. It was too late to take it back.

This makes them a most interesting subjects for a portrait series. Honor and integrity is carved into their faces. So is loss and defeat.

With all the treaties the American Natives have signed, the government, honored not a single one.

Helmut Koller