from connection to reflection Layering cultural reverence with the shared human experience brings depth to Todd’s work, and it’s also what en - dears so many to his pieces. “When you tell the story through that lens of the Native American, not only are you immediately attracted to it, but then you read the story and realize that, ‘Hey, I’m like that.’ And then we all come together instead of it being a divisive thing,” he said. “I love that art brings people togeth - er and we all have experiences that we share. If my art can tell a story like that, it makes me happy.” And there have been many in - stances in which his art has evoked connection and reflection. “One time, I had my Crow Warrior, that’s eight-and-a-half-feet tall, in a gallery on a pedestal, so he was tow - ering over everything,” Todd said. “I walked into the room and these two older Spanish ladies were looking at it and crying. One of them pointed to the story about why I had done the sculpture and said it meant so much to her. She said it was what she needed. She was crying be - cause of her connection with this big, giant warrior. And she thought, ‘I am this warrior.’ It was powerful. And I thought, if I never make any other art for the rest of my life, that was worth it. That one interaction.” In that moment, art fulfilled its highest calling: it reflected someone back to themselves. While the Crow Warrior explored themes of mental and spiritual preparation before a battle, which could also mean facing personal battles, one of his more recent sculptures focuses on the wisdom and growth that come with age. “When a man is young, he has limitless energy and boundless op - timism,” Todd said. “Any righteous cause is worth fighting to the death for. Time and experience lead the old warrior to think ahead. While still ready to fight, the experienced warrior seeks to end conflicts peace - fully. Knowing that in the end it will be the best for all.” The sculpture, Young Warriors Run to War, Old Warriors Fight for Peace, depicts an older warrior still gripping his spear, but he is active - ly offering up a pipe, symbolizing Top left and bottom: "Young Warriors Run to War, Old Warriors Fight for Peace". Top right: "Life and Vitality" 48x48; Bottom right: "Vitality" 60x60
respect and his openness to dialogue. As Todd puts it in the story about the sculpture: Lessons hard won teach us that real strength comes in the form of self control displayed by the man offer - ing peaceful solutions to conflicts. It is a deeply human narrative—one of
growth, humility, strength and evolu - tion––that you can instantly feel and understand simply by standing in the presence of the sculpture.
Watch Todd's interview here.
Issue 5 | Summer/Fall 2026
Page 5
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