Famous American Indian Paintings
Painting is not quite a traditional art form of the American Indian people. Many tribes had painting traditions, but their work was more for decoration purposes of different objects, such as tepee covers or the war outfits. Some of the Native American artists have painted works in the manner of the western painting techniques. Even if the painting techniques they use are not traditional for the American Indian people, the themes of the paintings are more often than related to the culture and people belonging to the Native Americans.
'Anthem' by Tony Abeyta
Tony Abeyta is a Native American whose paintings are known all over the world for their depiction of American Indian elements in a modern technique. The painting called "Anthem" was used as the official illustration of the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indians at was opened in 2004 in Washington D.C. Another important painting of the Navajo artist is "The Four Directions".
'Cactus' by Jaune Quick-To-See Smith
"Cactus" is a painting that is currently held by the Arizona State University Art Museum. It was painted in 1988 by Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, a Native American artist who is well known for her lithographs and paintings depicting allegorical aspects of the American Indian culture. "Cactus" is an allegory of the modern world as we see it today mixed with elements of the traditional American Indian culture.
'Sits Down Far Away' by Kevin Red Star
This painting is a famous depiction of an American Indian chief on a horse created in 1984. It is on display at the Museum of the Institute of the American Indian Arts from Santa Fe and it is one of the outstanding creations of the Native American painters in a style that merges the characteristics of the American Indian themes with the art conceptions and techniques that are used in the Western Art schools.
'Shaman' by Dan Namingha
"Shaman" was painted in 1977 and it is held by the Palm Springs Desert Museum. It depicts an allegorical figure of a male character. The style of the painting reminds the viewer of the cubist pictures. The colors used are mere red, orange and black and the figure of the shaman induces an apocalyptic vision of a winged dark character that has power over the entire world. The figurative painting of the shaman is a fascinating incursion in the cultural and spiritual space of the Native Americans.
