John Vichorek
"Teepee Burner"

© Montana Museum of Art & Culture file photograph
Welded Steel
1970
Campus Commission

(Located between Jeannette Rankin Hall and Natural Science Building)

The History of John Vichorek's "Teepee Burner"

The label next to the sculpture does not display the chosen title "Teepee Burner", instead the label simply lists "Untitled." John Wieczorek, the artist's son, explains, the original title was not listed "due to the controversy it [the artwork] raised at the time. There were upset environmentalists who thought he [the artist] was promoting air pollution. There were native rights activists who thought he was glorifying the subjugation of the indigenous people. There were even threats to blow it up. The artist's intention was to try to make something interesting and beautiful from something noxious and ugly."

John Wieczorek, the artist's son, February 4, 2005

This photograph of "Teepee Burner" from 1970 shows that the sculpture was originally located in the middle of the oval on campus. The upper reaches had a shiny quality. They were meant to represent the smoke rising from the teepee burner.       Photo: courtesy of  John Wieczorek©2005