Alongside SWAIA’s 2023 Santa Fe Indian Market, Blue Rain Gallery will host two exciting shows for those who want even more from talented, prestigious Native American artists. Kicking off first, starting August 17 and running through August 20, is the Blue Rain Gallery Annual Celebration of Native American Art group show featuring 13 artists with around 90 diverse pieces of artwork. Opening on August 18 is a solo show for Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Dreams from the Spirit World, boasting approximately 16 new glass sculpture designs.
Preston Singletary (Tlingit), To See the World, blown and sand carved glass, 13½ x 10½ x 3"
“The group exhibition brings together some of the most celebrated Native artists working today and Blue Rain Gallery is pleased to show their diverse works in glass sculpture, painting, ceramics and jewelry under one roof…and ranging from contemporary and cutting edge to traditional and timeless,” says Denise Phetteplace, Blue Rain’s executive director.
Artists like Chris Pappan, (Kaw/Osage/Cheyenne River Sioux) presents a new series of War Dance drawings, utilizing antique paper. “Historically, many Native tribes used the War Dance the evening before battle, or it was danced upon returning from battle,” explains Phetteplace. “Pappan depicts both men and women in this new series. War shields, spears and rattles are integrated into his compositions with great detail paid to the dress of each subject.”
Other participating artists, showcasing a mix of subject matter and medium, include Dan Friday, Jody Naranjo, Starr Hardridge, Lisa Holt, Harlan Reano, Helen K. Tindel, Raven Skyriver, Hyrum Joe, Ryan Singer, Thomas Breeze Marcus, Frank Buffalo Hyde, Russell Sanchez and Kevin Pochema.
Preston Singletary (Tlingit), Momentary Flight, blown and sand carved glass, hair, 22 x 8 x 4"
For Singletary’s show, on display through September 2, attendees can expect to see a continuation of the artist’s abstractions of Northwest coast style and theme. In pieces like Momentary Flight, we see the form of a wing design with a human figure attached. “I made this as an homage to a dear friend who passed away and who was a goose hunter,” says Singletary. “The color and concept are a poetic tribute to my friend.”
Unique compositions are also featured in works like To See the World, where Singletary used glass-blowing techniques that allow the viewer to look into the sculpture. “The window has a stylized eye on it with the idea that we are viewing Tlingit designs in a new way,” he says. “I believe that glass brings a new dimension to Indigenous art. It’s [also] important for Native people to have the access to this technology so we can evolve our cultural art in new and sophisticated ways.”
Chris Pappan (Kaw/Osage/Cheyenne River Sioux), War Dance IX, graphite and mixed media on U.S. cavalry recruitment ledger paper, 15½ x 10¼"
Russell Sanchez (San Ildefonso Pueblo), Pottery Grouping, natural clay with sgraffito design, turquoise and heishi inlay
Singletary also notes that some show pieces that are still in-progress are bird sculptures that show eagles or ravens in flight, or minted on metal stands. “I have developed new approaches with glass sculptural elements that help me evolve the sculptural techniques and [create] new compositions,” says Singletary. “I like to evolve my pieces to find new inspiration and I find that every day can be an adventure full of new ideas and approaches.”
The group exhibition will open with a reception on Thursday, August 17, from 5 to 8 p.m., with Singletary’s reception, opening Friday, August 18 at the same time.
Blue Rain Gallery
August 17-20, 2023
Preston Singletary: Dreams from the Spirit World
August 18-September 2, 2023 544 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501 (505) 954-9902, ww.blueraingallery.com
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