Learning New Things

 

I was at the Heard Museum over the weekend to attend another "Artful Mornings" lecture and it gave me the opportunity to visit a new exhibit that just opened a week ago.  The new exhibit is called "Space Makers: Indigenous Expression and a New American Art."

The exhibit was exploring the art of a group called the Indian Space Painters who had a profound influence on the American art scene.

This exhibit was organized by the Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville Arkansas.

I had one of those WOW moments when I entered the exhibit gallery.  Most of the works were full of brilliant colors and wildly different patterns and symbols.  This piece is called "Sustenance" and was painted in the 1960's by Linda Lomahaftewa.  

This is another one by Linda Lomahaftewa. It is untitled and was painted in 1970.

This one was created by Benjamin Harjo Jr. and it is called "Ancient Images, Modern Times".  Benjamin became known as the Picasso of Native American Art.  I can see why.

This was also painted by Benjamin Harjo Jr.  This one is called "Honoring the Spirit of All Things".  

I really loved this exhibit.  I'm sure I'll be back to see it again while it's at the Heard Museum.  I love learning new things and I had not heard of this group of artists, many of whom studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.  The IAIA gallery is one I visit every time I go to Santa Fe.