The Fence Mural was a partnership between local artist Nicholas Blaske; artist and Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribal member, Bryan Akipa; and resident artist, Markus Tracy. The materials used for the Fence Mural consisted of wooden slats cut from plywood, zip ties and plastic cups.
Bryan Akipa’s contribution to the Fence Mural was his use of tribal symbols. The tribal symbol of the triangle represents the cycles of the sunrise and sunset. Other tribal symbols such as eagle feathers and native arrowheads represented native warriors and good deeds. These symbols were located on the right and left side of the Fence Mural.
The geometric symbol within the center of the Fence Mural was contributed by Nicholas Blaske. This symbol was a cross-cultural connection between the native Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe and non-native community members who are of Scandinavian descent.
For the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, the center symbolizes the morning star which represents hope, guidance, and the four cardinal directions. Community members of Scandinavian descent say that the center symbolizes traditional Norwegian rosemaling. Rosemaling is a decorative folk art representing the rose flower which symbolizes love, longing, and the admiration of Norway.
Markus Tracy contributed to the Fence Mural at the bottom left which represents a cut-out of the sun rising over the rolling hills of South Dakota. The viewers are able to interact with the sunrise by looking through the fence. Tracy also contributed to the top right of Fence Mural which represents a cut-out of a sunset. The scale of the cut-out fits the actual sun as it settles slowly over Anderson Park.
Thank you to the South Dakota Arts Council Artists in Schools & Communities Grant; the Sisseton Arts Council; and the families living around Anderson Park.
