Abel Sanchez San Ildefonso Pueblo Original Painting of Kiowa Dancer [SOLD]

This original painting of a Kiowa Dancer was created by San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Abel Sanchez.  Adobe Gallery reached out to a friend from San Ildefonso Pueblo for information about which dancer is depicted in this image.  He told us, “That’s a Kiowa Dancer. There is no religious significance to this kind of dancer for us.  It was done as a social dance. Done for enjoyment.”

With this piece, Abel Sanchez successfully captured the joy of the Kiowa Dance on paper.  His works are always energetic and charming, and that style is well-suited to this dancer.  The dancer’s body faces the viewer directly, with outstretched arms moving expressively.  As per usual, there is no background or ground plane.  Text written on the back of the frame by a previous dealer identifies the piece as having been created between 1920 and 1930, which would make this an early-career piece.  After spending some time with the painting, we would agree, as Sanchez’ usual offerings are a bit more complex than this.  The relative simplicity seen here is a strength, though—this painting is rich in beauty, character, and energy. 

The painting is signed Oqwa Pi in lower right.  It is framed in a thin wood frame, under two layers of matting in brown and white.

Abel Sanchez (1899-1971) Oqwa Pi - Kachina Stick was a painter from San Ildefonso Pueblo.  He painted in the traditional flat depictions in vogue at the Santa Fe Indian School of the period. There are no ground planes, nor are there any background plants or features. He faithfully depicted the costuming of the figures, providing a detailed record of the clothing worn during the period. He started painting as early as age 20, or around 1919.  Sanchez was eight times Governor of San Ildefonso Pueblo and a farmer. Eventually, he earned enough from sales of his paintings to support a very large family. His works were exhibited at the Milwaukee Art Institute, Yale University, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Stanford University, and the Gallery of Fine Arts in Muskegon, Michigan. The fresh color, action and great simplicity of his paintings made them well-received in all these exhibits.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Abel Sanchez San Ildefonso Pueblo Original Painting of Kiowa Dancer is from the collection of a client from New York

Recommended Reading: Dunn, Dorothy.  American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas, University of New Mexico Press, 1968

Relative Links: Russell Sanchez, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Native American Paintings, Abel Sanchez, Oqwa Pi, San Ildefonso Pueblo Painter