Standing nearly 4 feet tall, Regina Free’s breathtaking eagle sculpture Osi captures feelings of strength and resilience, representing the Native people to which it is intricately tied. Made predominantly of paper, Free’s lifesize wildlife sculptures blur the line between fragility and strength, capturing the essence of each creature along with its cultural symbolism.
With each glance, new details emerge: feathers shaped as if built to glide effortlessly through the air, talons gripping tightly to the branch it’s perched upon, and piercing eyes that seem to look straight through you.
Osi, mixed media sculpture, 34 x 32 x 42 in.
“Our ancestors had a deep relationship with nature and wildlife. I believe the more advanced we become, the further removed this connection becomes, and it’s truly to our detriment,” the Chickasaw artist says. “I hope that my sculptures evoke an emotional connection to that relationship and serve as a way to honor our heritage.”
Free’s Osi was recognized as best in class within the sculpture division at the Cherokee Art Market in 2024. This October, she will return to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa to celebrate the market’s 20th anniversary and plans to showcase her newest piece, Windswept.
Much like its eagle counterpart, the 6-foot-tall bison sculpture stands as another powerful testament to the resilience of Native people. Constructed from fewer than 100 paper towels, every detail—from the texture of its form to the expression on its face—was intentionally designed.
Windswept, mixed media sculpture, 55 x 48 x 55 in.
“The bison is a powerful symbol,” Free says. “I wanted its head lifted slightly, as if it senses your presence but remains unfazed. That posture speaks to the enduring spirit of Native people—to persevere, no matter the circumstances.”
Check out Free’s newest sculpture alongside the work of more than 150 Native American artists at the 20th annual Cherokee Art Market, October 11 and 12 at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa. —
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