Pacific Index

Terran Last Gun’s vivid art paints the scene of the past and present 

Terran Last Gun, a Piikani visual artist, is showcasing pieces of his artwork at Cawein Gallery. Last Gun’s artwork features the combination of a modern, abstract style with historical context. Heavily influenced by his Indigenous heritage, Last Gun’s collection is shaped by nature and architecture.

Last Gun was born and raised on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana, where he spent his formative years taking inspiration from the vast landscape. Found throughout his works are the Rocky Mountains, as well as their lodges, which are deeply important to the Piikani people. Often lodges display geometric shapes referencing the mountains on the bottom, with the top covered in stars, representing their connection to the cosmos. 

“My artwork reflects [Piikani] art history and archeology,” Last Gun explains. “I’ve taken the time to really dive deep into the lodges and its history. Our experiences, memories, and stories all contribute to the aesthetic.” His bold yet minimalistic style doesn’t take place on a simple canvas with acrylic paint; rather, he uses a unique combination of antique ledger paper and colored pencils to tell his story. 

Last Gun uses old records of sales or other transactions in a form known as Ledger art, which originated from the Great Plains. He creates his art on ledger paper dating as early as the 1800s, then layers color and shape on top of it, using pencils. Last Gun describes his style as reinvigorating life into the old. He does so not just through his choice of medium, but also by putting a modern spin on a traditional Indigenous art practice. 

“Sometimes I sketch, but other times I just jump straight into [coloring],” Last Gun explains, noting that his process is heavily driven by ‘what feels right.’ “I sit down and stare at my work and write whatever comes to mind. That’s how I title my work.” 

A piece in particular, titled “The Power of the World Works in Circles,” will make its debut appearance in the Cawein Gallery, one of the only works in this collection not shown before. Last Gun describes it as different to his other work, the title drawing inspiration from a Piikani documentary about medicine and its ceremony. 

The Piikani culture ingrained through Last Gun’s collection is remarkable, pulling his style from both the past and the present. 

Terran Last Gun’s exhibit in the Cawein Gallery will be available to view from September 4 until October 3.