The Guardian, (sculpture).

The Guardian, (sculpture).

Haney, Enoch Kelly, 1940- , sculptor.

The Guardian, (sculpture).

2001. Installed June 7, 2002.

H. 22 ft. 9 in. (5,980 lbs.).

Atop the dome of the Oklahoma State Capitol stands a bronze figure of a Native American holding a spear in his right hand and a circular shield in his left hand. The shield features a cross mark symbolizing the four directions, four seasons, and four cycles of life. The number four is a sacred number, and for that reason, the artist placed four feathers at the bottom of the shield. Around the figure's neck there are three rings of beads with a shell in the center. Around the figure's waist is a strap, which hangs down along his leggings and rests on the ground, where it is stuck to the ground with his spear. Staking oneself to the ground was an indication of bravery in the face of insurmountable odds, The figure does not represent any particular tribe, but depicts the themes and traditions from several Indian nations at a time before Europeans arrived.

Figure male -- Full length

Ethnic -- Indian

Outdoor Sculpture -- Oklahoma -- Oklahoma City

Administered by State of Oklahoma, Department of Central Services, 2401 North Lincoln Boulevard, Suite 206, P. O. Box 53218, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 73152

Located Oklahoma State Capitol, 2300 North Lincoln Boulevard, Dome, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

The artist, Sen. Enoch Kelly Haney, a Seminole-Creek Indian, was selected in a blind contest based on sculpture entries submitted without the names of the sculptors identified. He opted not to take the $50,000 fee for sculpting the piece and gave the statue as a gift from his family. The sculpture's dedication was in conjunction with the annual Red Earth Native American gathering in Oklahoma City and the statue was given a traditional Indian blessing by Cheyenne Peace Chief Lawrence Hart and Cheyenne and Arapaho Peace Chief Gordon Yellowman Sr. IAS files contain copies of newspaper articles fromTulsa World, June 6, 2002, A-11; and Tulsa World, June 8, 2002, D-1.

The Daily Oklahoman, May 16, 2002, pg. 9A.

The Daily Oklahoman, May 16, 2002, pg. 1.

Tulsa World, June 8, 2002, pg. D-1.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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