Dave McGary

Dave McGary was raised on a cattle ranch in Wyoming, with his art career beginning early in life. At 12, he sculpted in clay; at 16, he received a scholarship to spend a year in Italy studying the human form and the art of bronze casting. Shortly after his return to the US, McGary started working at a Santa Fe foundry and began a friendship with a Sioux artist that contributed significantly to his interest in sculpting the American Indian. Subsequently he was adopted into the Ogala Sioux tribe and given the name Wambalee Tanka, “Big Eagle” — but his adopted family on the reservation were more likely to refer to him as “Big Red Ears” because of his predilection for soaking up tales of their ancestors.

A McGary bronze is a unique combination of American West and classic Renaissance art form of Italy. “Amazing,” “astounding,” and “unbelievable detail,” are some of the most frequent first words heard when people view renowned artist Dave McGary’s bronze sculptures of Native Americans. The works are masterpieces of anatomical and historic accuracy. They are also based upon real individuals of American history.