2017 Prix de West Collector's Bolo: Dragonfly by John Coleman

In 2016, 

John Coleman’s sculpture Honeymoon at Crow Fair – recipient of the James Earle Fraser Sculpture Award at the 2014 Prix de West Invitational Art Exhibition & Sale – was installed on the grounds of the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, just outside the main entrance.

This year, Coleman – a painter and sculptor – was asked to design the collector’s bolo for the 2017 Prix de West. As a single glance confirms, the bolo that Coleman produced – titled Dragonfly – is a stunning piece of craftsmanship and a worthy addition to Prix de West’s proud bolo tradition. And given the subject matter and symbolism, it is quintessential Coleman.

As a rule, Coleman’s artwork depicts Plains Indians from the period roughly spanning the Lewis and Clark Expedition (1804) to the Battle of the Little Bighorn (1876). The more he immersed himself in studying this timeframe, he said, the more he began to notice the prevalence of a particular motif: the dragonfly cross.

The dragonfly cross – such as those adorning the headpiece and neckwear of the female depicted in the bolo – resembles a Christian cross, yet with four horizontal arms instead of two.

Symbolism, Coleman said, is the key to unlocking meaning in most works of art, including his. “Everything I do, in my mind anyway, is some kind of metaphor,” he said. “I don’t like to think of it as just copying nature literally – I like some symbolism in my work … and it is probably one of my favorite symbols: that particular dragonfly cross.”

The dragonfly cross emblem is popular with Native Americans, said Coleman, due to the fact that, like a butterfly, the dragonfly undergoes a process of metamorphosis. “So they literally think of it as being from another world,” he said. Many also believe that the dragonfly represents infinite possibility. “It is not bound by the same rules as other creatures – it can move in any direction,” he said, “and represents a lot of the spirit of Prix de West in that sense: endless possibility.”

For the 12-time Prix de West participant, being asked to design the collector’s bolo is akin to a rite of passage. “That sense of belonging is extremely important, especially to a show that carries that prestige with it,” he said. “It is like being part of a community, you want to give back and when you are asked to do some service for the community, it is a tremendous honor.”

The Collectors' Bolo tradition began in 1986.

Add to your collection of our Prix de West bolos or start your collection today! These bolos are replicas of the original artwork. Each bolo comes with a braided horsehair bolo tie.

Discounts are not available for this item.