#erincooper

For thousands of years the Choctaw people occupied portions of the Southeastern United States, but in the early 1830s were the first tribe to be removed to Oklahoma under Andrew Jackson's Indian Removal Act. In 2014, given free rein to create "something beautiful, meaningful, and long-lasting" and symbolic of Oklahoma, Erin Cooper's vision came together in the form of 13-year old Choctaw girl Bella Aiukli. Aiukli—Choctaw for "beauty"—an active member of her tribe and loved by those who know her, was chosen to represent Oklahoma's hopeful future, and the states connection to the land is represented by natural elements woven into the composition. This work is in Oklahoma City at Western Ave and NW 37th St.  @westernavenue/  @ecooperstudio/  @goldenandtrue/  @amandabradway/

Americana Then [click to see dress detail]