Artist Bio
Sheldon Starr is most creative in abstract painting and graphic design. He is still in the early stages of other fine art mediums, but still strives for experience in all fine art forms. Graduating from Oglala Lakota College with a degree in Graphic Arts (2020), Starr continues to utilize his graphic design experience in the free-lance and commission based fields. Sheldon shows his creative freedom through paintings based on geometric subjects. Paying homage to the traditional Lakota geometric designs and the aesthetics of the 80s,90s,and 2000s American pop culture, he produces creative pieces that are engulfed in vibrant, saturated colors through painting and digital artworks. Sheldon Starr is an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe (Oglala Lakota) and is based in Rapid City, SD.
Artist Statement
My reverie of childhood in the 90’s and 2000’s mixed with signage and American pop culture of the 80's pairs with my utmost appreciation for traditional Lakota geometric designs to create abstract art with a saturated color palette.
My family is very connected to the traditional Lakota culture, so I was always exposed to the culture, language and art. The traditional Lakota geometric art is at the base of every piece that I create. My art expresses that not only were my ancestors powerful, and survivors of history, but we are still here and we are a part of modern history.
CV
2026
"Anemoia" - Rapid City, SD
"Sakowin Synergy" - Minneapolis, MN
Red Cloud Art Show (Abstract Award: for the best non-representational work in any media.) - Pine Ridge, SD
2025
"Lakota Contemporary: An intergenerationational survey of contemporary Lakota art." - Journey Museum - Rapid City, SD
Waniyetu Art Market - Racing Magpie - Rapid City, SD
2024
Black Hills Indian Artist Market - Rapid City, SD
Red Cloud Art Show (New Artist Award: For an outstanding body of work from an emerging artist) - Pine Ridge, SD
ative POP" - Rapid City,SD
2023
"Native POP" selected artist (Digital/Photography Category Award Recipient) - Rapid City, SD
First People’s Fund Recipient
Red Cloud Art Show - Pine Ridge, SD
Oglala Lakota College Student & Staff Art Show (Dahl Arts Center) - Rapid City, SD
Racing Magpie Art Market - Rapid City, SD
Black Hills Indian Art Market (Original Artwork Selected For Promotion) - Rapid City, SD
2022
Lakota Nation Invitational Art Show (Judge) Dec.13 - Dec.17th - Rapid City, SD
We Are Still Here Capstone Exhibit - Minneapolis, MN
Lakota Media Summit (Art Panelist) - Rapid City, SD
“Retro Reverie” Solo exhibit (Dahl Arts Center) - Rapid City, SD
Collaborative Exhibition (All My Relations Gallery) - Minneapolis, MN
Red Cloud Art Show - Pine Ridge, SD
Black Hills Indian Art Market - Rapid City, SD
2021
We Are Still Here Cohort (Billboard design) - Minneapolis, MN
Black Hills Art Market - Rapid City, SD
Red Cloud Art Show - Pine Ridge, SD
2020
Graduated with AA in Graphic Arts - Oglala Lakota College. (Kyle, SD / Rapid City, SD)
Red Cloud Art Show - Pine Ridge, SD