Diné (Navajo) Original Painting Entitled “Peyote” [SOLD]

Most of Beatien Yazz's work reflects the everyday lives of the Navajo. It is not always obvious when he is picturing secular life-ways or religious life-ways.  In the instance of this painting, he is reflecting on his few years of being a member of the Peyote Church.  He had joined the Peyote Cult years earlier, abandoned it, and again joined, probably in the 1960s.  It was his association with this group that ended his experience with alcohol, so there certainly is something positive about his few years with the group.

During his time with the Peyote Church, Yazz painted scenes totally different from those of his past.  They are more psychedelic in style than the calm paintings of happenings on the Navajo Reservation.  This period only lasted a few years, but some really exciting and moving art resulted.

This painting centers on an Indian man, head thrown back, peyote fan in his hand and strange blue birds flying just above his head.  There is a peyote bud in lower center, crosses floating about, and rays of blue and white clouds all around.  It reflects the vision from a peyote experience and his inner talent being released in purely artistic freedom.  After a few years, he reverted to his traditional painting style and abandoned this wildly crazy and beautiful freedom he experienced.

Condition:  The painting is in original condition.

Provenance:  the painting was entered in the New Mexico State Fair and awarded 1^st Prize in 1969.  It is from the collection of Katherine H. Rust and was loaned to the Institute of American Indian Art Museum for an exhibit of unknown date.

Recommended Reading: Yazz Navajo Painter by J. J. Brody