Painting of a Seated Pueblo Woman with Dance Regalia by Percy Sandy [SOLD]

Percy Sandy, or Kai-Sa (Red Moon), as he often signed his work, was born at Zuni Pueblo in 1918. Having attended elementary and secondary schools in Zuni, Sandy later left for Santa Fe to do postgraduate work at the Santa Fe Indian School.

His influences varied, but evidence of the Diné (Navajo) style of painting exists in a great deal of his work, as is Hopi, Rio Grande Puebloan and Apache styles. He later moved from Zuni to Taos, due to internal conflicts connected to his depiction of sensitive religious subjects. He died in Taos in 1974.

In this painting, Sandy depicts a Pueblo woman seated and wearing typical regalia. There is also a drum at her feet. To the right, part of her regalia is placed in a basket, likely after a dance. During Pueblo feasts, visitors to the homes of the dancers offer thanks and prayers to the dancers. She seems to be sitting quietly awaiting those visitors.

The painting is signed “Kai-Sa” in lower right. On verso, in the artist’s hand, is written “Zuni Harvest Dancer.” Percy Sandy Taos, New Mexico. 1943. It is beautifully framed using a linen mat outlined in gold fillet and a wood gold color frame.

Condition: Overall, the painting is in excellent condition. It appears to have been painted on artist board and there are a couple small depressions in the board in upper left, outside the painted area.

Provenance: ex coll California collector of Native American art