Born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation surrounded by artists and fine craftsman as a child. Denton has always been inspired to create and share his work with others. While attending the local tribal college on the reservation he was introduced to the IAIA in Santa Fe New Mexico. After years of study in contemporary native american art at the art institute Denton earned his BFA in Painting for the class of 2004. Upon graduation he participated in several national native american art markets throughout the USA. These markets included SWAIA in Santa Fe New Mexico and The Eiteljorg Indian Market and Festival in Indianapolis Indiana. In 2008 Denton moved home and became adjunct instructor at the same tribal college where he got his start, Oglala Lakota College in Kyle South Dakota. Moving on from adjunct instructor, in 2016 Denton opened his first brick and mortar print shop in Kyle South Dakota called Lakota Print. The business had great success and local interest. The storefront was open for 3 years and due to the covid pandemic the Lakota Print was deemed nonessential by the Oglala Sioux Tribe and was closed. In 2022 Denton opened a small co-op studio of local artisans who pursue similar ideals and interests in the Contemporary Native American Arts. 

EDUCATION:
-AA Environmental Pre-Engineering Kyle SD OLC 2000
-BFA Painting Santa Fe NM IAIA 2004

EXHIBITION:
-LELA International Gallery - 244 San Pedro St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
-Orenda Art International - 54 Rue de Verneuil, 75007 Paris, France
-Eiteljorg Indian Market & Festival - 500 W. Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
-SWAIA: Native American Art Market - 121 Sandoval St UNIT 33, Santa Fe, NM 87501
-Northern Plains Indian Art Market - Sioux Falls, SD 57101
-Gallerie delle Prigioni - P.za del Duomo, 20, 31100 Treviso TV, Italy

COLLECTION:
-National Museum of the American Indian
National Mall
Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20560
-Imago Mundi Collection
Piazza del Duomo, 20
31100 Treviso, Italy
-UALR’s Sequoyah National Research Center
500 University Plaza
Little Rock, AR 72204
-IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (MoCNA)
108 Cathedral Place, Santa Fe NM 87501

PRIVATE COLLECTION: Sweden, Germany, Norway, Japan, Italy, USA, France, Australia.

As Grandpa Fools Crow would say, Be the hollow bone. In the same thought I believe my art does not belong to me. I am merely an instrument for the creator's expression.

Denton FastWhirlwind

FastWhirlwind

Oglala Lakota Tribe
Dated: Circa 1930
Provenance: Hill House
Notes & Literature: Fast Whirlwind was at the dedication ceremonies of the Black Hills Peace Treaty of 1876 marker tree.
Subject References: American Native Indians Tribes Chiefs Photos Photographs

Wakȟáŋtȟaŋka thiwáhe kiŋ kaǧé.

  • The dedication ceremonies of the Black Hills Peace Treaty of 1876 marker tree.

    No Water, Hunts Horses, Fast Whirlwind, Iron White Man, Spotted Eagle, Iron Horse, and Red Cloud on horseback.

  • Here is the name list of the above photo, as published by the Nebraska State Historical Society (left to right): Pine Ridge Supt. McGregor, John Kills Above, Susie Kills Above, Silas Fills The Pipe, Delia Red Cloud, Agnes Red Cloud, James Red Cloud, Short Bull, Lone Man, Fast Whirlwind, Stanley Red Feather, Samuel Rock, Amos Afraid Of His Horses, Emil Afraid Of Hawk, Oliver Jumping Eagle, Herbert Bissonette, Robert Fast Horse, Captain Luther H. North.