Description

Raised at the edge of what would become Glacier National Park on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation and robbed of his hearing by scarlet fever at age two, John L. Clarke overcame many hardships to become a celebrated and widely collected artist. He rose to fame by applying his passions for the Glacier country, its wildlife, and Native Americans to the arts of wood carving, sculpture, sketching, and painting. Author Larry Len Peterson accompanies the tale of this Blackfeet icon with photographs, printed materials, full-color images of his artworks, and images of contextual works from other famed artists of the time to provide a unique view of the artist’s historic and cultural milieu: a view at once panoramic and intimate.

Written by famed western artist biographer, Dr. Larry Len Peterson, this beautiful coffee table-style book explores the less-known aspects of John Clarke’s long life, while detailing Clarke’s vast impact on western art. The foreword is by author and art historian, Dr. Brian W. Dippie, with a section by Clarke’s granddaughter, Dana Turvey, titled “Reflections.”

From Dr. Peterson: “How could a Native American boy lacking the ability to hear or speak and raised at the edge of what would become Glacier National Park grow to become one of the most celebrated and collected woodcarvers in American history? It’s quite a story. The stunning 440 page biography Blackfeet John L. “Cutapuis” Clarke and the Silent Call of Glacier National Park: America’s Wood Sculptor makes use of 500 illustrations —photographs, printed material, and artwork (from Clarke and twenty-seven other artists)—to explore John L. Clarke’s (1881-1970) meteoric rise to national notoriety.”

Dr. Larry Len Peterson is an award winning scientist, physician, cultural historian, and author. Above all, he is a searcher. His distinguished biographies include The Call of the Mountains: The Artists of Glacier National Park; John Fery: Artist of Glacier National Park & the American West; Charles M. Russell, Legacy; Charles M. Russell, Photographing the Legend: A Biography in Words and Pictures; Philip R. Goodwin: America’s Sporting and Wildlife Artist; and L. A. Huffman: Photographer of the American West.

  • Paperback
  • 432 pages
  • IBSN: 9781591523512