Original Painting of Four Sacred Clowns [SOLD]

“A few Cochiti students continued their painting after leaving the Santa Fe Indian School.  Bob (or Manuel) Chávez (Ow-u-Te-wa), who was born in 1915, painted in the traditional manner, then turned to a style all his own.  For a time he used black paper, and outlined figures of animals in brilliant blue, green turquoise, or red.  Some of these are more active, others are in stiff-legged, traditional style, suggesting Navajo trends.” Tanner 1957.

Following his survival of the Bataan Death March and 5 years in a Japanese POW camp, Chavez returned to Santa Fe and spent the next four decades as a teacher at his alma mater, St. Catherine’s Indian School.  He established the art department at the school.

This presentation of four sacred clowns is painted on black paper and in vivid colors as stated by Tanner above.  The clowns are presented in active mode as if in a dance position.  The single tall corn plant and melons on the ground are the only other features except for the Sun above.

The painting is signed in lower right Ow-u-Te-Wa and dated ’66.

Condition:  The painting appears to be in original excellent condition.  The colors are vivid and the paper is not damaged.

Provenance: from the Katherine H. Rust Collection

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting a changing art by Clara Lee Tanner