Cloud Kachina Dancer [SOLD]

Gilbert Atencio, from San Ildefonso Pueblo, believed in the traditional Indian ways and his favorite subjects were ceremonies, ceremonial figures, and scenes from Pueblo life. Here he painted the Cloud Kachina, which represents the deluge that falls from the towering thunderheads.

This piece is not signed but a note attached to it states that Gilbert Atencio was the artist. At the time he painted this (1944) he was only 14 years old, and a student at Santa Fe Indian School.

In this painting, his drawing is well above average for a student. His use of color is well managed and his attention to detail unfailing. A newspaper article, dated 1944 and accompanying this painting, states:
Rating second by way of red stars is Gilbert Atencio of San Ildefonso Pueblo, a nephew of the famed pottery maker Marie Martinez. His “Corn Dance ” and “Wedding” are perhaps the outstanding paintings of the show, the former having been purchased by Liane Adams and the latter by the museum.