Universal Truths by Milton Fletcher “When you are at one with your surroundings you generate rhythms: creative, universal, timeless.” Margaret La Bounty’s work is presented and seen on an international scale. Even though her original artistic reference point is the American South West, it is her understanding of pan-cultural symbolism and art techniques that have helped her work find a receptive global audience. La Bounty’s works are primarily clay totems, sculptures and acrylic paintings that have an enduring aura. Using the iconography of ancient cultural art, her work speaks to the subconscious. The subject matter and style of the work spans eras. It doesn’t matter when you view her art because the works’ soul is the ageless human spirit. Much of La Bounty’s work explores her two major artistic and philosophical themes. One theme is that Life and Art are cyclical. That is, Life’s rhythms are tied to natural and lunar cycles. The other theme is that all humanity is the same and is part of and need the natural Elements to survive: Water, Air, Earth and Fire. We are also reliant on the planetary cycles of the Stars and the Moon for a cohesive existence. Clay is La Bounty’s first medium. It is the Earth. Mastery of clay is essential to La Bounty’s art because she can use it to represent the Elements in various forms. Her techniques have taken decades to refine. She knows her clay. La Bounty also writes poetic text for many of her pieces. These passages usually embellish the spiritual feel of the artwork. The words she includes with “The Learning Way" sculpture express the need to embrace the Earth in order to find a sense of direction and balance in life: “As we dance with the Movement of Life the lessons to be learned from Mother Earth become clear—the paths to follow open—Harmony” This perceptiveness has been nurtured by the artist’s life journey and it is the arc of her life experiences that parallels her development as an artist. Margaret La Bounty was born and raised in Cedaredge, Colorado—a small, rural former pioneer town. Brought up in a household that treasured art and literature, and being surrounded by the beauty of Nature and the folk art of the Native American Ute tribe, La Bounty would become an artist inspired by these influences. As an adult, she lived and studied in Hawaii and its Polynesian influence expanded her color palate and clay glazing techniques while also helping her become more aware of the power of the Earth and Oceans’ movements and their affect on people and culture. This reinforced her belief that Life is cyclical and governed by Nature. When she settled in Bluff, Utah it was the red sandstone canyons and petroglyphs, along with extensive interactions with native tribes that deepened her vision of worldly symbolism. She realized that there is recurring iconography in far-flung cultures that communicate the same sentiments. This insight influenced La Bounty’s ongoing series of “Children of the Sun and the Moon” sculptures with their stylistic diversity being examples of the idea that we all come from the same place even though we appear different. La Bounty has also been commissioned to create replicas of rare tribal art works, rare objects found in archaeological digs, and create regional artwork for public spaces. This has allowed her to help preserve and extend the influences of past cultures. It has also given her the insight, in her fine art work, of how to combine seemingly disparate cultural influences, designs and symbols to express universal truths. Margaret La Bounty has said, “All art has a voice and a story.” Her art shows how that conviction comes from a deep and knowing place. —End BIO: Milton Fletcher writes for NY Arts magazine is also director and curator of CyberGallery66.org

30 years of self taught experience and workshops University of Hawaii, Studied under Al Aspenwall, Master Sculptor, University of Colorado

1999 Yuma International Airport, Yuma, Arizona - Commissioned / Permanent Collection 1996-2007 Pueblo Grande Museum, Phoenix, Arizona- Commissioned / Permanent Collection 1996 Soil Systems Inc., Archaeological Group, Phoenix, Arizona-Commissioned / Private Collection 1992 One-Woman Show, Edge of the Cedars Museum-Blanding, Utah (3- month exhibit) 1990 One-Woman Show, Sutherland Museum of Western and Indian History - Cedaredge, Colorado 1989 Sutherland Museum, Cedaredge, Colorado- Commissioned / Permanent Collection 1988-2007 The Rock Speaks Studio 1988-1989 One-Woman Show, CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OFFICE, Congressman Ben Nighthorse Campbell- Grand Junction, Colorado 1987 One-Women Show, Walker Field, Grand Junction, Colorado

2007 Biennale Internazionale, Florence. Italy. www.florencebiennale.org 2007 Kunst-Forum-International, Seetal 2007, Switzerland 2007 “International Contemporary Masters 2007” invitational only publication 2007 AMSTERDAM WHITNEY Gallery, New York, New York 2006 NY Arts Magazine, editorial feature, distributed in New York, Miami, China, and in International Art Museums and Galleries. www.nyartsmagazine.com 2006 ArtSEEN Journal, is distributed in London, England and Florence, Italy in Fine Art Museum and Galleries. www.artseenjournal.com 2006 Kunst-Forum-International, Small format, Switzerland 2006 World Fine Artist, featured www.worldfineartist.com 2005 Biennale Internazionale, captured a Lorenzo il Magnifico de Medici medal for Sculpture. Florence. Italy. www.florencebiennale.org 1996 2 Person invitational show, Kansas City, Missouri 1995, 1998 Springville Museum of Fine Art, Springville, Utah 1995 Red, White and the Occasional Tenderfoot, Chinli, Arizona 1990 Colors Gallery, Denver, Colorado

2005 Biennale Internazionale, captured a Lorenzo il Magnifico de Medici medal for Sculpture. Florence. Italy. www.florencebiennale.org 1999 Yuma International Airport, Yuma, Arizona - Commissioned / Permanent Collection 1999 Alternate for Park City 2002 Public Art, Park City, 2002 Winter Olympics, Utah 1996-2007 Pueblo Grande Museum, Phoenix, Arizona- Commissioned / Permanent Collection 1996 Soil Systems Inc., Archaeological Group, Phoenix, Arizona-Commissioned / Private Collection