A new exhibition at Blue Rain Gallery shines a spotlight on the artwork of three groundbreaking Native American artists. Running February 28 to March 11, Voices of the Land: Contemporary Native Expressions will feature new works by Jesse Littlebird, Helen K. Tindel and Gabriel Mozart Abeyta, each of whom continuously push cultural boundaries and expand the narrative of Native American art.
Gabriel Mozart Abeyta (Ugly Pie) (Diné/Taos Pueblo), Skull Canyon, acrylic and ink on panel, 24 x 18"
“Voices of the Land is a testament to the depth and versatility of Native expression, where heritage meets bold creativity,” says Blue Rain Gallery’s Leah Garcia. “[Gabriel, Helen and Jesse] each bring a voice that resonates with the land, the past and the future, inspiring dialogue and connection. This exhibition invites us to witness the transformative power of art as a cultural and personal journey.”
Jesse Littlebird (Laguna/Kewa Pueblo), Dawn in the Promised Land #2, oil and aerosol on canvas, 18 x 24"
Abeyta, known as Ugly Pie (a nickname from his childhood), will be bringing several abstract paintings to the upcoming show. Among these is an acrylic and ink on panel titled Skull Canyon, depicting a top-down view of a canyon clearly in the shape of a human skull. “This painting…is a deeply personal reflection on the awe-inspiring yet perilous beauty of the Rio Grande, as experienced during my childhood near Taos Pueblo. I used to play by the river, mesmerized by its dramatic cliffs and the way the sunlight danced across the landscape,” says Abeyta. “The canyon’s cliffs in the painting feature skull-like formations, serving as a visual reminder of the dangers hidden in the breathtaking landscape. The sky, rendered with a blend of oxidized copper and iron, captures the unpredictable beauty of New Mexico’s ever-changing skies, with streaks of sunlight breaking through the stormy hues. The use of oxidized metals introduces a raw, untamed element, echoing the unpredictable power of nature.”
Helen K. Tindel (Santa Clara Pueblo), Progeny, oil on panel with resin, 12 x 12"
He adds that the painting also pays homage to the rich tradition of artists interpreting the cloud formations, light and storms that punctuate New Mexico’s iconic skies. “Skull Canyon invites the viewer to feel both the awe and caution that the Rio Grande inspires—a balance between wonder and respect for a landscape that shaped my childhood and continues to influence my art.”
Gabriel Mozart Abeyta (Ugly Pie) (Diné/Taos Pueblo), Coral Spirit, ink and pigments on paper, 10 x 7"
In Tindel’s oil and resin painting Progeny, flowers literally bloom in bursts of paint scattered across the panel. She explains that the piece “was drawn, inked, scratched, drilled, painted…and poured with resin multiple times” to create the distinct layers evident throughout the painting. “Progeny was a meditation on the three-generation dynasty that preceded me,” says Tindel. “I also thought about a lot of life cycles of thoughts, emotions and ideas.”
Helen K. Tindel (Santa Clara Pueblo), Early Delight, oil on panel with resin, 20 x 16"
Jesse Littlebird (Laguna/Kewa Pueblo), Tetilla Peak, acrylic and oil pastel on canvas, 24 x 18"
Littlebird’s artwork is a culmination of inspiration from the New Mexico landscape as well as popular culture and graphics. “I contextualize my work within art history itself,” he says. “I like to think of myself as an Indian painting the land that was taken away, using colors and aesthetic beauty so connection and healing can occur.”
Voices of the Land will open with an artist reception on Friday, February 28, from 5 to 7 p.m. —
Blue Rain Gallery
February 28-March 11, 2025
544 S. Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, NM 87501
(505) 954-9902, www.blueraingallery.com
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