Navajo Painting titled “Buffalo Conductor” by Diné Artist Tony Abeyta [SOLD]

Diné artist Tony Abeyta's creation “Buffalo Conductor” is a three-dimensional mixed media painting. In the center of the image is a wood carving that appears to serve as the mask and breastplate of a larger creature—the titular buffalo.  The carving itself is a work of art, but its position within the larger whole is what makes it unique. Surrounding the carving is the rest of the buffalo: its legs, its arms, its fur and horns. Its arms are outstretched, bent upward at the elbows.  Its right arm holds a conductor’s baton. The buffalo is, according to the artist, “making spiritual music.” He’s placed in the center of a very old piece of paper, onto which a list of names and numbers is written. The paper is dyed yellow and adorned with a variety of designs in pencil.  Below each of the buffalo’s elbows is a large green circle, with black decorations and slight shadows. This piece presents a rare opportunity to own a three-dimensional piece by Tony Abeyta, one that incorporates wood carving, paint, pencil, and some sort of archaic paper. “Buffalo Conductor” is beautiful, unusual, and exciting.  Diné artist Tony Abeyta is primarily known as a painter. This excellent creation is a reminder that he is quite skilled with other media, too.

“Buffalo Conductor” is mounted on a white backing with its edges exposed.  The white backing is signed “Tony Abeyta” and dated 2011, just below the paper’s bottom edge.  It is surrounded by a wide white mat—which is raised about an inch higher than the paper, adding to the three-dimensional effect of the piece—within an elegant wood frame.  Its size and framing is identical to that of “Equestrian Juggler,” and we suggest that interested parties consider purchasing the pair and hanging them together.

Navajo artist Tony Abeyta (1965- ) is one of the best and most collectible contemporary Native American painters.  Abeyta was educated at Santa Fe's Institute of American Indian Arts, the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, and overseas in Italy and Southern France.  Abeyta described his creative motivations thusly: “I want my work to reinforce the ideology of Indian religion, its strength, its beauty and semblance. I work to create an interpretation of these deities translated through myself and given an identity devoid of their actual documented existence. I'm more interested in an icon or the idea, which these beings represent. This system of ritual belief is the most important basis in Indian culture and ensures its infinite existence.”  Abeyta’s father was Diné painter Narciso Platero Abeyta (1918-1998) Ha So De.

Condition: this Navajo Painting titled "Buffalo Conductor" by Diné Artist Tony Abeyta is in excellent condition

Provenance: from a private collection

Recommended Reading: 100 Artists of the Southwest by Douglas Bullis

Reltive Links: Native American Paintings, Navajo Nation, Tony Abeyta, Ha So De