In appreciation of Native American Heritage Month, Petr Mrazek and Alex Stalock every have new masks to put on all through the month of November, designed by Potawatomi artist Nicole Banditgrey and Ojibwe artist Patrick Hunter.
“Potawatomi individuals have been a few of the authentic inhabitants of Chicago and with the ability to signify that on this method brings me a lot pleasure,” Banditgrey mentioned of Mrazek’s design inspiration. “The artists earlier than me discovered magnificence in our environment and that is the place my inspiration comes from additionally.”
Stalock will debut his masks in tonight’s sport towards the New York Islanders and felted honored to work alongside with Hunter on the inspiration of his new helmet design.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to speak to [Patrick] and he referred to as at some point to simply sort of choose my mind on stuff I get pleasure from, what I like doing away from the rink,” Stalock mentioned. “Being from Minnesota, I clearly love the outside. I like fishing, I like looking, I like golf, any of that stuff, something open air in the summertime.”
The art work shows completely different components inside nature akin to waves and deer antlers alongside the facet of his helmet. It additionally options arrows alongside the highest of his masks to include Stalock’s admiration of the outside.
“When not enjoying the game he loves, Alex likes to spend his time bow looking deer together with his brother which is the place the horns on the facet and arrow imagery come from,” Hunter defined.
“When requested what aspect in nature he could be, it was water, which is the place the waves on the perimeters come from the place he enjoys fishing and enjoying on the ice,” Hunter described.
“I feel for him, he took the fishing, the water, the outside sort of stuff and sort of applied it into the design of the helmet,” Stalock mentioned. “It seems to be actually cool. It is fairly easy, a white background with numerous crimson… it’s going to be fairly distinctive.”
Mrazek’s helmet options geometric florals that signify the looming of beads that originated from Banditgrey’s tribe of Potawatomi.
“The incorporation of the zig-zag design was to signify quillwork: artwork created from porcupine quills, one in all our first artwork types, and one in all my private favorites,” Banditgrey mentioned.
“These designs signify and remind me of the robust and delightful individuals who have created and worn this art work for lots of of years earlier than us,” Banditgrey interpreted of the florals.
Study extra about Native American Heritage Night time right here
