Specialists at Bonhams are looking forward to the third annaul stand-alone Modern Native American Art sale, which will highlight prominent modern and contemporary Indigenous works. Bonhams director of Native American art, Ingmars Lindbergs, notes that they are “delighted to be able to showcase important works by 20th- and 21st-century artists in this venue as the market for modern and contemporary works by Indigenous artists see an increase in demand year over year.”
Fritz Scholder (1937-2005, Luiseño), Hopi Snake Priest, 1972, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 30." Signed upper left, titled and inscribed verso, dated on gallery label verso. Estimate: $20/30,00
The sale will consist of 200 to 250 lots, taking place August 31 at 10 a.m. (PDT), and will see “many find modern artists such as Fritz Scholder (1937-2005, Luiseño) and Jaune Quick-To-See Smith (Salish/Kootenai Nation) finally beginning to receive the recognition and accolades that they so richly deserve,” Lindbergs says. “We also see this with the works of artisans like Charles Loloma (1921-1991, Hopi), whose work was once viewed by many as regional but now is widely acknowledged as a master jeweler.”
Charles Loloma (1921-1991, Hopi), gold and multi-stone cuff bracelet Estimate: $25/45,000
While Lindbergs notes that six drawings and prints by Smith are slated for the sale, and are considered major highlights, one of the highest estimated lots is a Loloma gold and multi-stone cuff bracelet set between $25,000 and $45,000. “This piece is a gorgeous example of master jeweler Charles Loloma’s inlay work, featuring turquoise, coral, lapis lazuli and ironwood in a 14k gold cuff,” Lindberg explains. “The ironwood inlay elements are concentrated near each of the terminals, breaking up the field of turquoise and accentuating the natural curve of the wearer’s wrist. It likely dates to the late 1970s, and is consigned from a private collector.”
Coming in second for high estimate ($20/30,000) is Scholder’s 1972 painting Hopi Snake Priest, featuring a solitary figure on a bright blue background. “The Snake Priest looks directly out at the viewer, challenging the beholder’s preconceived notions of what it is to be Indian in America as he wears traditional garb but is depicted in stark contrast to the high-key background (a color familiar to pop art but not usually found in traditional, romanticized Western/Anglo depictions of Native Americans),” Lindbergs says.
T.C. Cannon (1946-1978, Kiowa/Caddo), Memorial Woodblock Suite (five works), 1977, ed. 37 of 200 Estimate: $15/25,000
Other significant highlights include five woodblock prints (est. $15/25,000) by T.C. Cannon (1946-1978, Kiowa/Caddo), made in partnership with master Japanese woodcutter Maeda and printer Uchikawa. “This suite features metallic accents and borders Cannon increasingly employed later in his career,” says Lindbergs, “inspired by his admiration for the work of Viennese artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, well known for his bright palette and use of metallic pigments in his paintings and prints.”
Lindbergs continues, “Cannon was only able to personally sign the first two woodcuts from the suite…before his death in an automobile accident in 1978. Posthumously, the suite was dubbed the Memorial Woodblock Suite, and Cannon’s printed signature was added to the remainder of the already completed works. Cannon’s father, Walter, then added his hand-signed signature on behalf of his son.”
Beau Dick (1955-2017, Kwakwaka’wakw), Dzunakwa (Wild Woman of the Woods), carved and polychrome painted mask with applied hair Estimate: $10/15,000
Collectors should also take notice of Kevin Red Star’s (Crow) 1986 oil Tea Party (est. $4/6,000); Beau Dick’s (1955-2017, Kwakwaka’wakw) unique carved and painted mask Dzunakwa (Wild Woman of the Woods) (est. $10/15,000); and Ramona Sakiestewa’s (Hopi) 1990 woven tapestry titled Old #40 (est. $4/6,000), executed in the manner of a Navajo Second Phase Chief’s blanket with fringe on each end.
Lindbergs notes that highlights from the sale will be available on the Bonhams website, and will also be featured in person at the Whitehawk Indian & Ethnographic Art Show in Santa Fe, August 12 to 14.
August 31, 2022
Modern Native American Art Sale
7601 W. Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90046
(323) 850-7500, www.bonhams.com
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