Original P'otsúnú Painting “Avanyu in Clouds” [SOLD]

This meticulous painting by P'otsúnú features two distinct yet complementary motifs. At the top, the Avanyu—a sacred water serpent—flows between pregnant rain clouds, while the bottom half showcases repeated geometric patterns that mirror the Avanyu's vibrant colors. Together, these elements evoke the powerful imagery of a thunderclap, where the visual interplay between the Avanyu and the bold geometric motifs mirrors the sudden, electrifying energy of a storm. Painted on gray pebbled paper, the textured surface contrasts beautifully with the precise, flat shapes. The piece is elegantly framed with a title plate, enhancing the overall presentation of this museum-quality work.

Gerónima Cruz Montoya (1915-2015), also known as P'otsúnú (White Shell), was a painter and educator from Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo. A student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School, Montoya later succeeded Dunn as head of the art program, where she encouraged students to paint familiar scenes, primarily ceremonial dances. Montoya's influence shaped many successful Native American artists.

She also studied at the University of New Mexico, Claremont College, and the University of Albuquerque under notable instructors like Alfredo Martinez and Kenneth Chapman. While primarily an educator, Montoya was a talented painter, known for her skillful dance figures and Mimbres animal imagery. Her art, particularly from the 1960s, was praised for its simplicity and strength of line. Montoya is remembered for her lasting contributions to both art and education.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Original P'otsúnú Painting "Avanyu in Clouds" is from a collector in Colorado

Recommended Reading: THE WORLDS OF P'OTSÚNÚ Geronima Cruz Montoya of San Juan Pueblo by Jeanne Shutes and Jill Mellick, University of New Mexico Press, Albuquerque

TAGS: Native American Painting, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo – San Juan Pueblo, Robert Montoya, Paul Montoya, Gerónima Cruz Montoya