Original Serigraph “When Coyote Leaves the Res” by Harry Fonseca [SOLD]

This original serigraph titled When Coyote Leaves the Res by Harry Fonseca (1946-2006) was created in 1979 and is a printer's proof signed and dated by the artist. It is part of Fonseca's pivotal Coyote Series, which began that same year and marked a turning point in his career as he explored the trickster figure from his Maidu heritage in contemporary, urban settings.

Here, Coyote is portrayed wearing black leather and urban fashion, an outfit influenced by Fonseca's experiences living in San Francisco. The character represents Native identity in transition, adapting to modern life while still grounded in traditional symbolism. This work draws upon the broader history of Native relocation programs from the 1940s, when many Native men were moved from reservations to major cities for job training. These policies often resulted in cultural disconnection, and Fonseca's Coyote figure emerges as a powerful metaphor for survival, adaptation, and resilience.

Stylistically, the image reflects influences from Cubism and ancient Egyptian art, particularly in the exaggerated, frontal-side stance of the figure. The background is composed of patterned bricks rendered in vibrant colors, highlighting Fonseca's signature attention to design and detail. Coyote's black jacket is adorned with zippers, chains, and stars which act as symbols of vanity and flair. It evokes traditional regalia reimagined in a modern context, capturing the playful, excessive nature of the trickster. As Fonseca once noted, Coyote likes anything that shines.

Condition: very good condition with all new acid-free matting, backing, and frame

Provenance: This Original Serigraph "When Coyote Leaves the Res" by Harry Fonseca is from a collector in Santa Fe.

Reference: Artist's website (www.harryfonseca.com)

TAGS: Maidu, Fine art, Albuquerque, New Mexico, Harry Fonseca