Native artist Lillian Pitt visits Sisters

Fans of Lillian Pitt's art know it when they see it. High Desert Gallery in Sisters has experienced this as people stroll along the sidewalk, stop for a second look, then head into the gallery asking if the sculptures and masks they see were created by the nationally known artist.

"People remember her - they remember the imagery and the spirit behind her work," said Todd Dow of High Desert Gallery.

Pitt's work is on exhibit now, and this Saturday evening she will be at the gallery for a reception.

Lillian Pitt is known for the unique way she takes her traditional Native American heritage and translates it into contemporary artworks. Pitt grew up on the Warm Springs reservation and described herself as a quiet child who liked looking at nature. There she is called by her Indian name, Wak'amu meaning "strongly rooted." Later in life, she changed careers almost by accident when a friend encouraged her to take a ceramics class and it was "love at first touch."

Now, at age 64, Pitt's love of clay has grown and she creates art in a variety of media including wood, metal and glass. Her art may take the form of large sculptures, wall hangings or jewelry. One sculpture currently showing at High Desert Gallery demonstrates the types of materials she likes to use. In "Owl Woman Gathering Energy," the main feature is a cedar plank to which Pitt has added a clay mask, railroad ties, copper, feathers, beads and a beaver-chewed stick.

"I just love found objects - I'm kind of a packrat," said Pitt.

Pitt is recognized for her collaborations with other artists which enable her to create in any media, rather than only keeping to familiar materials. If she is interested in glass but has never worked in glass before, she will seek out a fellow artisan to help.

"I'm smart enough to know I can't do everything," said Pitt.

Pitt said she is simply a "person playing with things." Yet her creations have earned her prestigious awards and have been exhibited from Germany to Japan. Pitt's art is shown in museum collections around the world and can be seen in many public places.

Pitt received the Governor's Award of the Oregon Arts Commission in 1990, which declared that she had made "significant contributions to the growth and development of the cultural life of Oregon."

Last year, Pitt was honored with the Earle A. Chiles Award given by the High Desert Museum for promoting thoughtful management of the natural and cultural resources of the Intermountain West. The award acknowledged Pitt for creating images that sustain ancient Columbia Plateau cultures and beliefs, and for promoting harmony within people, communities and nature.

This honor came with a $15,000 award, which Pitt plans to use to produce a book on her ancestry and art.

One recurring theme from her ancestors is called "She Who Watches," an ancient petroglyph overlooking the Columbia River. Pitt said her watchful gaze is cast over the valley where her grandmother grew up. Pitt is proud to honor past generations by recreating this legend in many of her artworks.

"I use the ancient stories of my ancestors as a basis for the imagery I create," said Pitt.

Pitt understands that not everyone who sees a "She Who Watches" artwork will understand the legend, so Pitt tries to make her as beautiful as possible so the story is secondary.

In Bend, people can see her interpretation of this legend at Central Oregon Community College where a striking bronze and stainless steel "She Who Watches" stands eight-feet tall on campus. Pitt said she looks forward to coming to COCC next month to give graduates their commencement speech.

In the Portland area where Pitt lives now, her art enhances public transportation at a MAX station and her totem sculptures are in a Tri-Met greenspace.

This Saturday, May 24, art enthusiasts can meet Lillian Pitt at a reception at High Desert Gallery, 281 W. Cascade Ave., from 4 to 7:30 p.m.