Original Painting of a Peyote Theme [R]

Most of Beatien Yazz's art 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 a very handsome Indian man, facing forward, with a peyote bud necklace, long hair flowing over one shoulder and feathers draping from the back of his head. The Yei rainbow figure over his head is a protector and the sun face with horns is traditional to Navajo art.  The painting probably reflects the vision from a peyote experience which released the inner talent of the artist in purely artistic freedom.  After a few years, Yazz reverted to his traditional painting style and abandoned this wildly crazy and beautiful freedom he experienced.

Condition: appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame

Provenance: from a gentleman in Albuquerque

Recommended Reading:  Yazz: Navajo Painter [SOLD] by J. J. Brody