Steven Vincenti (1917-1948) Nehakije


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Steven Vincenti (1917-1948) Nehakije was born in Dulce, New Mexico, on the Jicarilla Reservation.  He was educated at the Santa Fe Indian School. During the second year the school was in session Nehakije was the only Apache.  He was forced to leave the school to take over the care of his family ranch, but he continued to paint and bring his work to Santa Fe. He had set up a small studio on his ranch and continued to paint when he had time.  He wrote and illustrated a story that was published in the magazine World Youth in January 1936.

 

On April 10, 1936 a review in the Santa Fe New Mexican stated: “His paintings reflect his strength and imagination. They are a work of an original painter uninfluenced by any school, although there is a suggestion of the Persian in his fine detail, delicate lines and brilliant color….These paintings are as impersonal as pure abstract, yet they are filled with mood and meaning.”

 

Signature of Steven Vincenti (1917-1948) NehakijeIn her book of Indian Painting, Dorothy Dunn stated, “Nehakije’s few works, all of beauty and sensitivity, remain the best among the rare paintings from that era.”  

 

His work has been shown at the Columbus Gallery of Fine Arts in Ohio and the Indian Arts and Crafts Board at the Department of Interior in Washington, DC.

 

Nehakije was chosen by sculptress Malvina Hoffman as the subject for her piece “Apache” which is part of the famous Hall of Man exhibit at the Field Museum of Chicago. 

 

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