Mountain Spirit
Artwork and Music by Daniel Bigay
Artwork and Music by Daniel Bigay
Artist Statement
I have been an artist for more than 40 years. Since I can remember, I have created art. I have always worked with different mediums- making flutes, drawing, painting, music, carving, with my main focus over the years being on flutemaking and carving. I have always gravitated towards traditional art forms, and most of my artwork has focused around using ancient designs and symbolism from the Mississippian and Hopewell mound culture. I have been drawn to these designs since I first saw them as a boy, and it is my belief that they have many levels of meaning, that they convey concepts, ideas, and traditional knowledge. They are a strong connection to our ancestors. It has always surprised me how under recognized southeastern traditional art has been considering the level it reached in ancient times. I believe traditional art forms are an important link to our ancestors, and are part of what gives us our identity as native people. It is my desire to create art that honors our ancestors that gave it to us, and hopefully will inspire other young artists to continue these art forms.
Artist Bio
Daniel Bigay is an award winning artist and musician. Daniel is a member of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, and is of Cherokee, Choctaw, Taino, and Scots/Irish descent. Mostly self taught, he works in many different mediums, and has been creating traditional and contemporary Southeastern Native American art for more than 30 years. Daniel's flutes, gourd art, and jewelry have won awards at many prestigious Native American fine art shows across the country. Daniel's flutes are played by many nationally known, award winning Native American recording artists, and his flutes and other art are in museum and private collections around the world.Collections/Comissions
Publications
Awards for 2000 - 2008
Spirit of America Native American Art Show - Atlanta GA
- 3rd place, Traditional Art
Powhatan Renape Nation Juried Indian Arts Festival - Rankokus NJ
- 2nd place, Cultural Art
Council for Indigenous Art & Culture Art Show - Merrillville IN
- 2nd place, Traditional Art
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- 1st place, Traditional Art
Cherokee Art Market - Catoosa OK
- 1st place, Diverse Art Forms
Indigenous People's Art Market - Mt Pleasant MI
- 2nd place, Traditional Art
Council for Indigenous Art & Culture Art Show- Merrillville IN
- 2nd place, Traditional Art
Cherokee Indian Art Market - Cherokee NC
- 2nd place, Cultural Art
- 3rd place, Sculpture
Eiteljorg Museum Indian Market- Indianapolis IN
- 2nd place, Cultural Art
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- Best of Show
- People's Choice Award
- 1st place, Traditional Art
Cherokee Indian Art Market - Cherokee NC
- 1st place, Sculpture
- 1st place, Cultural Art
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- 2nd place, Traditional Art
- 3rd place, Traditional Art
Awards for 2009 - 2016
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- 1st place, Traditional Art
- 2nd place, Traditional Art
Cherokee Indian Art Market- Cherokee NC
- 1st place, Cultural Art
Powhatan Renape Nation Juried Indian Art Festival- Rankokus NJ
- 1st place, Traditional Art
Eiteljorg Museum Indian Art Market- Indianapolis IN
- 1st place, Cultural Art
- 2nd place, Cultural Art
- 3rd place, Cultural Art
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- 1st place, Traditional Art
- 1st place, Jewelry
Five Civilized Tribes Museum - Muskogee OK
- 1st place, Traditional Art
- 1st place, Jewelry
Cahokia Mounds Contemporary Indian Art Show
- 3rd place, Cultural Art
Eiteljorg Museum Indian Art Market- Indianapolis IN
- 2nd place, Cultural Art
- 2nd place, Jewelry
