Works by Fritz Scholder, Earl Biss and Allan Houser were among the highlights in Hindman’s $2.7 million Western & Contemporary Native American Art sale. The November 1, 2023, auction saw 208 of its 220 lots sell, with eight lots selling for six figures.
As has been the case for the last several years in Hindman’s Western & Contemporary Native American Art auctions, Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005) was the star of the sale, claiming eight of the top 10 sales prices of the day, including seven paintings selling for more than $100,000. All 10 works by the artist in the auction sold above their low estimates with eight topping their high estimates.
Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005), Sioux War Party, 1972, acrylic on canvas, 68 x 80” Estimate: $100/200,000 SOLD: $264,600
“Fritz Scholder was a true pioneer, one of the first Indigenous artists to utilize an aesthetic heavily influenced by abstract impressionism, color field and pop art to depict themes of modern Native American life,” says Alexandria Dreas, Hindman’s Western art specialist and head of sale. “At a time when most depictions of Indigenous people were heavily romanticized, Scholder chose to focus on the emotional and spiritual elements of his subjects, rather than the realism. His artwork does not shy away from the difficult topics, but instead tackles challenging subjects—such as oppression, cultural erasure and mental health—using stunning colors and emotional brushstrokes. Scholder, who influenced so many Indigenous artists to follow, is exactly what collectors are looking for.”
Fritz Scholder (Luiseño, 1937-2005), Snake Dancers and Shadows, 1977, acrylic on canvas, 68 x 80” Estimate: $100/200,000 SOLD: $233,100
The top lot of the selection of Scholders was Sioux War Party, 1972, which fetched $264,000 against an estimated value between $100,000 and $200,000. The piece saw lively bidding across all platforms.
“Sioux War Party is an iconic example from Scholder’s most desirable period,” Dreas says. “It is a visually stunning work that showcases Scholder’s masterful use of color…Utilizing just three colors, Scholder creates depth, shadow and narrative in a space otherwise devoid of context. It is a truly eye-catching work of art.”
Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994), Acorn Harvest, ed. 4 of 10, 1980, bronze, 35 x 27 x 18” Estimate $15/$25,000 SOLD: $37,800
Other Scholder highlights above the $200,000 mark include the artist’s 1977 piece, Snake Dancers and Shadows, American Portrait with Onlooker from 1975, and Indian with Heart, from around 1970.
Scholder was not the only contemporary artist in demand throughout the auction. Earl Biss (Apsáalooke, 1947-1998) realized a new auction record with Autumn Pass which sold for $78,750, more than doubling it presale high estimate of $30,000. A pair of Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache, 1914-1994) bronzes were among the top 15 lots, with War Pony achieving $44,100 and Acorn Harvest, $37,800. John Nieto, the Mescalero Apache painter who also created modern figurative works with intense colors, saw two works beat estimates including Rancho de Taos Church, which sold for $34,650.
John Nieto (1936-2018), Rancho de Taos Church, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48” Estimate: $15/20,000 SOLD: $34,650
“The contemporary Native American fine art market is dynamic and thriving,” says Dreas. “Every sale introduces us to new buyers looking to start or expand their existing collections. As collectors continue to shift their gaze towards historically overlooked artists—women, people of color, Indigenous peoples, LGTBQ+ artists—a new reverence for the talent, visual appeal and compelling stories expressed in modern and contemporary Native American art has led to a noticeable increase in interest. Fritz Scholder certainly helped pave the way for other artists of renown to establish a strong secondary market demand. Though Scholder’s market has regulated over the past two years, the enthusiasm for this category as a whole is still palpable.”
Powered by Froala Editor
