ABOUT LONE DANCER
Wes Hill, also known as Lone Dancer, is 100% American Indian.
As a young boy he took a great interest in wood carving by watching his grandfather (Fred Hill) carve wood and stone. It wasn't until many years later and a lot of practice that he decided he had the talent to pursue it as a career.
Although he had many influences, Wes has taken wood carving to a whole new level. By paying close attention to detail, Wes makes each piece unique to its tribe and gives each kachina doll a personality of its own. He takes great pride in his work and hopes to give the viewer a feeling of how these tribes lived and what they would wear during their celebrations, battles, hunts, and initiations. Each wardrobe corresponds to a particular tribe and each symbol and color on each kachina doll are what was actually worn during a different time periods within the life of a tribal warrior.
Raccoon Mask Dancer
purchased by Hilliary Clinton
The Story Teller
Lone Dancer, featured in Turtle Magazine
It is the close attention to detail that brings his wood carvings to life and is what makes him a respected wood carver among many other wood and stone carvers in the area. Wes has his work in many different museums and has had many celebrities purchase some of his most memorable pieces.He also has been featured on channel 7 and has donated his time and advise to up coming artist.
At age 77, Wes continues to carve everyday and believes some of his best work is in the near future.
Besides Iroquois Dolls, Mr. Hill carves Totems and will take on commissioned pieces. His gallery is in the rural area of Angola (near Brant) and is open by appointment: 716-549-5132.