Two-dimensional artwork has a rich and exciting history in Native American art, one that spans across the country and through many different cultures—from Southern Cheyenne warrior Howling Wolf, who created ledger art pieces in the 1800s, to 20th- and 21st-century artists such as T.C. Cannon, Fritz Scholder and Tony Abeyta. In this section we highlight some of the works that are on the market. They are astounding traditional and contemporary works inspired by concepts evolving around tradition, heritage, place and nature. Here in these pages, you’re not only witnessing the sensibilities of an artist, but a piece of history shaped by generations before them.
=========================
Dolores Purdy
This linen paper is from the early 1900s with “District Court, Osage County, Kansas” as a tongue-in-cheek statement of the reservation period of the time. The men have taken their game outside of their reservation and racing home before they are caught and possibly jailed. Artist Dolores Purdy used a touch of silver leaf, an uncommon element, along with lightfast colored pencils (prismacolor) and archival India ink to make this ledger-style piece unusual. The intended use of bright, vivid colors makes a striking image, as does the depth of field by adding shading to the figures, which is another use of materials different than the ledger art style of the ancestors.
Dolorespc11@gmail.com » www.dolorespurdy.com
=========================
Adobe Gallery
This is one of the finest paintings Adobe Gallery has seen by San Ildefonso artist J.D. Roybal. The central subject is a katsina underneath a rainbow, and two Avanyu figures wrap themselves around the rainbow, interacting with five Koosa clowns. With incredible detail and subtle but strong color, the painting’s near-perfect symmetry is broken only by the central Koosa, who hangs from the rainbow’s peak. The painting comes from the Charlotte G. Mittler Collection and dates to the 1950s. Adobe Gallery suggests that collectors work with knowledgeable and reputable dealers. The anonymous online marketplaces might seem appealing, but the risks often outweigh the rewards.
221 Canyon Road » Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 955-0550 » www.adobegallery.com
=========================
King Galleries
The artwork of Pueblo oil painter Kwani Povi Winder is characterized by vibrant colors, deep emotions and loose brushstrokes. Kwani seeks to explore her Santa Clara Pueblo Tewa heritage through painting. This is evident in this astounding 24-by 36-inch piece titled Looking Over Puye.
Owner of King Galleries, Charles S. King, notes that now is a great time to begin collecting paintings by Native artists. “There are exceptional established artists who have been working for decades and created a sound foundation for Native art in their distinctive styles,” he says. “There is an energy and vibrancy to this new group of artists that is changing our expectations.”
130 Lincoln Ave, D » Santa Fe, NM 87501
(480) 440-3912 » www.kinggalleries.com
=========================
Carlin Bear Don’t Walk
This 30-by-40-inch oil piece titled Knowledge, Power, Respect holds quite the remarkable message. Artist Carlin Bear Don’t Walk (Crow and Northern Cheyenne), discusses the piece’s significance in stating, “Knowledge is power and power is purpose that can’t be defined by purchase. Real power is derived from within, not what’s acquired on the outside. This is the philosophy of the late great Apsáalooke Chief Plenty Coups (Alaxchiiaahush) who once stated that ‘knowledge is your most powerful weapon. With knowledge or education, you are the white man’s equal; without it, you are his victim, and so shall remain all your lives.’”
(406) 696-5287 » www.carlinbeardontwalk.com
=========================
Peggy Fontenot
This photographic image was taken in Wichita, Kansas, while artist Peggy Fontenot of the Patawomeck tribe, was there doing a museum show. Fontenot shoots with T-Max 100/400 film and develops her images in her wet darkroom using a split-filter technique.
Fontenot’s photographs show that as Native American people are engaged, their voices play a major role in addressing and changing current policies, not only in Indian Country, but at the highest levels of government. She shoots in black-and-white film not only for historical purposes, but due to the seriousness of her subject matter, and because she finds color to be a distraction.
(310) 663-0083 » www.fontenotphotography.com
=========================
the Dancing Rabbit Gallery
In most Native American tribes, the eagle is considered a sacred messenger from The Creator. From its place high above, eagles represent spiritual protection, serve as a guardian, bear messages to and from the divine and inspire insight. The eagle has an ability to see hidden spiritual truths, rising above the material to see the spiritual.
Award-winning Seminole artist Gary Montgomery has painted Spirit Messengers, a lifesize face of a wise tribal elder surrounded by majestic eagles. This medicine man is responsible for conveying messages between his people and The Creator. The eagles carry the messages on their wings. This is a very powerful painting exploring the spiritual link between man and the message carriers—the eagles.
(505) 850-2212 » www.thedancingrabbitgallery.com
=========================
Jack’s Antique
An original oil pastel portrait by David Johns (Diné), Untitled features a serene Navajo elder. Johns is known for using traditional colors that are reflective of the four directions and symbols that draw viewers in with quiet spirituality, and is a world-renowned, award-winning artist.
This painting was acquired from a private Scottsdale collection. The artwork is double matted and professionally framed under glass, with the frame measuring about 36¾ by 33 by 1 inch. The sight area is about 26¾ by 23 inches. The artist’s signature is found on the lower right corner.
4650 N. US 89 Suite G014 » Flagstaff, AZ 86004
(928) 526-0696 » www.jacksantique.com
=========================
Nizhoni Ranch Gallery
Al Bahe creates riveting visions of his Navajo (Diné) heritage, as seen in this 20-by-16-inch acrylic piece titled Ceremony Time. Bahe is very soft spoken about his paintings, and that is reflected in the quiet power of his artwork. He transports his viewers to beautiful, secluded landscapes and introduces them to his subjects, most commonly a Navajo Yei figure. Central to Bahe’s efforts as a painter is a desire to impart knowledge of his own Navajo culture to the viewers. His trademark Navajo Yei figures, often wrapped in blankets, continue to be his first artistic love and his most consistent theme.
P.O. Box 815 » Sonoita, AZ 85637
(520) 455-5020 » www.navajorug.com
=========================
Corrine Cain
American Indian art appraiser Corrine Cain of Savvy Collector, believes that fine art made by American Indians is both a niche and not a niche. As in the gouache piece Deer Dancing Facing a Heartline Counterpart by Tony Da (San Ildefonso), imagery is tied to an individual’s tribe or the expression may be universal—a landscape, a tender moment between family members, an animal grazing. American Indian artists present realism as well as abstraction, symbolism and expressionism.
(602) 906-1633 » ccainaz@gmail.com
www.savvycollector.com
=========================
Cowan’s, A Hindman Company
Interested and inspired by her own heritage, Sarah Sense has dedicated her art to understanding the traditional methods of Chitimacha basket weaving, respectfully incorporating those methods into her modern vision. She has also been inspired by the Indigenous cultures of other nations. Her Weaving Water series is an example of this. Using bamboo paper made in Thailand, she brings the idea of the traditional river cane used in Chitimacha basket weaving to life in a new way, showing the ever-connectedness of artists and their materials. Artists such as Sense should be watched by collectors for their creativity and expression using the traditional craft in new, innovative ways.
(513) 871-1670 » www.cowansauctions.com
=========================
Grey Dog Trading
Sheldon Harvey paints in both acrylics and oils on canvas and board, creating images that are sometimes representational, sometimes symbolic. Many are based on traditional Diné creation stories, and are his own interpretation of what he was taught in his medicine man training. Others evoke the physical world he inhabits, the vast Navajo Reservation. This painting, Round Rock, is an impromptu landscape captured during a snowstorm. The painterly style is a departure from his cubist works—but departures in style are Sheldon’s oeuvre.
1925 Old Town Road NW, Albuquerque, NM 87104
(505) 243-0414 » www.greydogtrading.com
=========================
Monte Yellow Bird Sr. (Black Pinto Horse)
Depicted in this ledger is the legendary warrior Starboy, an Arikara celestial being riding across the prairie in search of his enemy. Starboy is noted as the son of the Morning Star in traditional stories and admires courage and battle. In this 10½-by-15½-inch composition by artist Monte Yellow Bird (Arikara/Hidasta), also known as Black Pinto Horse, two pictographic warriors are also depicted, representing ancestors riding in the background to partake in this quest. The overall narrative in this ledger is a traditional teaching that reflects our journey in facing our fears, as our fears are represented as enemies.
blackpintohorse@hotmail.com » www.blackpintohorsefinearts.com
=========================
Heard Museum Shop
The Heard Museum Shop presents Fritz Scholder’s (Luiseño) Portrait of Mr. Yellow, a framed oil painting on canvas measuring 34½ by 44½ inches, painted in 1984. When collecting an American Indian painting, Scholder is most certainly considered an artist who forever changed the New American Indian Art Movement. His style broke away from stereotypes and introduced pop and abstract expressionism. He became a major influence for a generation of American and contemporary art. Laura Cardinal, manager of the Collector’s Room at the Heard Museum Shop, says, “Owning a Fritz Scholder painting is preserving an iconic piece of art and is a privilege.”
2301 N. Central Avenue » Phoenix, AZ 85004
(602) 252-8344 » www.heardmuseumshop.com
=========================
Kathleen Wall
Leadership for Pueblo communities means sacrifice, responsibility and love. Every year men from the community are appointed into leadership positions to guide, protect and advocate for the people. The piece Standing in Tradition is of Kathleen Wall’s (Jemez) great grandfather the day he received the canes of leadership, and behind him are the mountains to the west of her family village. Wall has always been inspired by this image, and this year with her husband being appointed into leadership, she now understands the depth of its significance. The leadership of these communities are called to serve and it is a sacrifice their entire family makes, one that benefits the entirety of the community. The star beads alongside the image of Wall’s grandfather are symbolic of the people whom our leadership is responsible for.
kathleen@kathleenwall.com » www.kathleen-wall.com
Powered by Froala Editor
