Steel Prairie Sentinel
Artist Statement:
My metal bison sculpture, Steel Prairie Sentinel, connects the spirit of the prairie with the story of the Dakota people. The bison, a symbol of power, is rendered in metal to represent strength against adversity. The sculpture is also a tribute to the 38 Dakota men unjustly hanged in Mankato in 1862. By bringing together the image of the bison and the material of steel, the sculpture stands as a powerful symbol of memory, resilience and respect for Dakota heritage.
About Chase Gerdts
I am high school senior at Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton and part of the JWP Advanced Metal Sculpture class. This is my first sculpture I’ve built on my own and entered it into City Art Walking Sculpture Tour. However, I have help create three other sculptures that have been in Mankato’s tours including JWP’s latest Forged In Feathers, The Weldigo, and Angle De La Guardia.