Terrance Guardipee

Terrance Guardipee (Last Gun) is an internationally acclaimed Blackfeet painter and ledger artist, consistently recognized for the traditional depiction of his Blackfeet heritage and contemporary innovation demonstrated in his work. Terrance was one of the first Native artists to revive the historical ledger art tradition, and was the first ledger artist to transform the style from the single page custom into his signature map collage concept. This is based in the ledger art style, but incorporates various antique documents such as maps, war rations, checks, in addition to single page ledgers.

Terrance lived in Montana until he attended the Institute of American Indian Arts located in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he studied two-dimensional arts. There, he developed the contemporary color palate he is known for in a manner that is consistent with Blackfeet tradition. Presently, Terrance resides in Seattle, Washington.

The innovation Terrance has demonstrated in his artwork is recognized by numerous museums, prominent Indian art markets, and private collectors alike. Terrance’s work is featured in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions such as the Smithsonian Institute, the Gene Autry Museum, the Hood Museum at Dartmouth College, and the Museum of Natural History in Hanover, Germany. The leading institutions in the Native art community consistently acknowledge Terrance’s innovative incorporation of authentic Blackfeet images into his own contemporary form of art. As told to Big Sky Journal, he says, “I want to represent my people, Blackfeet country and incorporate as many Montana materials as I can find, mostly from the 1800s. When people purchase a piece, they are not only purchasing Blackfeet history, but also Montana history.”