Gene Swallow (Oglala Lakota) is an enrolled citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Gene is a textile artist who creates textile fabric sculptures and Lakota inspired dolls. His work continues a long line of work with fibers and textiles among Lakota people. 

Dolls were once used as both toys and instructional tools.  Mothers used the process of doll making to teach their daughters the skills needed in the matriarchal Lakota society.  Gene continues these traditions by making functional toy dolls, but also forges a new path with his uniquely modern hybrid dolls that include both human and animal elements.  Gene enjoys aesthetics and working with natural fabrics like leather, wool, cotton, and linen. While he doesn’t create small regalia for the dolls, he does try to suggest that his dolls and sculptures are Lakota.

“I like to highlight indigenous identity in each design by including buffalo horns, natural fiber braids, and/or floral fabric prints,” he explains. Gene describes his works in “Modern Lakota” as modest representations of modern Lakota art.

“I think there must be room for every form of art to flourish and carve out completely distinct niches; I’m just trying to share my interpretations in order to highlight indigenous art as a whole.”

Gene recently won the Best of Division III: Three Dimensional Award in the 2021 Native POP People of the Planes Art Show. He was also recognized as a 2021 First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership Fellow. creates unique dolls and textile arts that build on centuries of tradition.  Gene has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Cosmetology. Before joining NDN Collective Gene spent 10 combined years of rewarding experience working in the Oglala Lakota County and Rapid City Area School Districts implementing the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings.