Edgar Heap of Birds, a Cheyenne and Arapaho artist, presents a retrospective at Oklahoma Contemporary titled "Hock E Aye Vi Edgar Heap of Birds: HONOR SONG" (through 20 October). The exhibition features over 100 works, including monoprints, abstract paintings, glassworks, and sculptures, alongside two new public art installations—most notably a pair of basketball courts in Campbell Art Park that are open for public play for at least a year. The courts draw inspiration from his Neuf series and Native Hosts series, incorporating hand-painted murals and a scoreboard recreating a 1982 Times Square project. The indoor portion includes works such as "Most Serene Republics" (2007) from the Venice Biennale and "Surviving Active Shooter Custer" (2018).
This retrospective matters because it highlights Heap of Birds's decades-long advocacy for Indigenous communities through art that confronts uncomfortable truths about history and erasure. By transforming basketball courts into communal art spaces, he merges his love for the game with his belief in community engagement, making art accessible beyond traditional gallery walls. The show also underscores the artist's journey from facing resistance to achieving institutional recognition, with around 70% of the works coming directly from his studio, reflecting his enduring moral compass and commitment to Indigenous visibility.