Description
Ballhead war club made from Rocky Mountain juniper. The club is modeled after 17th-century Cherokee/Eastern Woodland war clubs. The physical design of the club is extremely accurate and the club is made from one piece of wood that I collected. Accents on the club are my artistic expression; inspired by historical pieces and include 2 pieces of stabilized Nevada variscite (eyes) mule deer bone (fangs). The natural curl in the wood provides the integrity to the club. Art is sealed with tung oil and signed with my hallmark. Although historically accurate, this piece is intended for display only.
Category
Traditional Arts
Materials
Juniper, variscite, mule deer antler and bone.
Dimensions
7" x 23" x 2"
Grant Morris
Cherokee Nation
About the Artist
I’m a citizen of the Cherokee Nation (Wolf Clan), raised in Oklahoma and now residing in the Front Range near Manitou Springs, Colorado. My free time is spent enjoying the outdoors, often collecting the materials used in my art. I’m a self-taught artist and my creations are only limited by the materials I collect. As I hike, I look for and collect interesting pieces of wood; often not yet visualizing what they will become. Most of my material used in my art is collected between 8,500 and 11,800 ft. (the top of the tree line). It is not uncommon to hike 5 miles and 1500 ft. in elevation to return with one special piece of material. Semi-precious minerals can be found nearby, where I collect amazonite, smoky quartz and crystal. You will often find these materials embedded in my art along with materials more common to Pueblo artists such as turquoise and red coral. I only use fallen and dead trees that I legally obtain. Trees that succumb to insect damage or fire are special, allowing nature to contribute to the one-of-a-kind beauty of each piece. It is important to me to bring out the natural beauty and spirit within the wood. Creations are not forced; allowing nature to participate, if not dominate the art. Although I do look for traditional Cherokee themes, the wood ultimately guides the creation. Eventually, the wood will let me know what it wants to be, and that is when the journey to bring the dead wood back to life begins.
Pickup & Shipping
All artworks sold will be shipped from the gallery after the show closes. Packages should go out no later than September 20, 2025. Visit here to learn more about shipping and handling as well as tax-exempt purchases.