Sunday, July 6, 2008
Taos Pueblo Artists
Historic Pueblo Art
Pueblo Art from the Harwood Museum of Art
Upcoming exhibition at Harwood Museum of Art: Three Pueblo Painters, January 24 - April 20, 2003. The exhibition will feature paintings and educational material relating to the lives and works of three native Taos Pueblo painters. The artists:
Albert Looking Elk Martinez ("T 'o' nu" or Looking Elk lived 1888-1940) was a model for Taos Society of Artists painter Oscar Berninghaus beginning in 1900. He was given a Christmas gift of brushes and paint supplies and at least a few lessons by Berninghaus beginning around 1915 that led to his becoming a painter. Over the next ten years. Looking Elk continually improved his work and eventually made a living from his art sales. In the late 1930s, Looking Elk served as Governor of Taos Pueblo.
Albert Luhan ("Xenaiua" or Weasel Arrow lived 1892 - 1948) was a fiscal or deacon of The Taos Pueblo church working on interior painting and repairs when, over the lunch hour while the church's painters took a break, he began trying his artistic skills. A passer-by took an interest in his work and then helped Lujan find real painting supplies in Taos. Lujan ultimately made a living from selling an estimated 2,000+ paintings from his easel while open-air painting, from signs directing visitors to his curio shop, and from regularly passing out his business cards.
Juan Mirabal ("Tapaiu" or Red Dancer lived 1903 - 1970) was an occasional model for Taos artists. He took art lessons from artist-actress Marjorie Eaton and painter-instructor Louis Ribak. A muralist as well as a realist painter of Taos Pueblo, its people and its environs, Mirabal's painting career extended the longest of the three artists.
Taos Pueblo Governor's Office governor@taospueblo.com 575 758 9593
Taos Pueblo Tourism Department tourism@taospueblo.com 575 758 1028