I AM BISON is a debut art installation by Virginia-based artist Patty Swygert. The show opened at the North American Bison Discovery Center on Friday, November 27th, 2020 with a virtual opening reception and artist talk on December 4th.
Swygert is a conceptual and visual sculptor and fiber artist. Her installation uses paint, ink, earth pigments, soil, dyes, thread and yarn on paper, fabric, and found objects, to offer glimpses of the iconic National Mammal, from prehistory through present day. The installation features over 20 two-and three-dimensional works created by Swygert specifically for the National Buffalo Museum’s space.
Asked what inspired her about this project, Swygert said, “I love stories, especially those which feature an underdog and involve numbers. The story of the bison has both of those characteristics. From the first animals which crossed into North America from Asia, bison flourished until millions roamed the continent for perhaps millions of years before being reduced to fewer than 1,000 animals in just a few decades and then brought back from the brink of extinction.”I AM BISON was on view at the North American Bison Discovery Center from November 27, 2020, to November 6, 2021.
