Kiowa Peyote Ceremony [SOLD]

Al Momaday is as well-known as a teacher and educator as he is an artist.  He was of the Kiowa Tribe but spent 20 years as a principal and teacher at the Jemez Pueblo Day School.  He lived in New Mexico from 1947 until he passed away at Jemez Springs in 1981.  He was the son of A-ho and Mammedaty (Standing High) and the father of Pulitzer Prize-winning author N. Scott Momaday. He was married to author and poet Natachee Scott Momaday who was of Kiowa and Cherokee heritage.

At Jemez Pueblo, Momaday initiated a program of arts and crafts which brought international recognition to the school.  He organized parent groups to discuss problems and programs within the Pueblo, and was a progressive leader in many educational and Indian art activities.  He was very busily involved with Pueblo activities, yet found time to produce paintings.

This painting, which he entitled “Kiowa Peyote Ceremony,” was completed in 1947, the year he moved to Jemez Pueblo.  It is possible it was painted shortly before he moved to Jemez.  It is a strong image of a seated Indian staring intently at the peyote fan in his hand.  He appears to be in a trance from the effects of peyote.  He has his brow raised in awe of the vision he is witnessing.  The buckskin jacket is beautifully beaded in red and blue patterns.  His hands were beautifully and expertly rendered. 

Momaday has been recognized in several solo art exhibits in museums and art galleries, has received many awards for his paintings, has been published in too many books and publications to mention, and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate by Lawrence University.  He was an amazing man, educator, writer, painter and humanitarian.

Condition: appears to be in original condition.

Provenance: from the collection of a long-time Santa Fe family

Recommended Reading: The American Indian by Oliver LaFarge, New York, 1960