Original Mixed Media Painting by Diné Artist Tony Abeyta [SOLD]

This painting of a Yei Mask is a stunning example of Tony Abeyta's distinctive painterly style. Created in the 1990s, this piece embodies many of the elements that have defined Abeyta's work throughout his career. Known for his vibrant use of color and rich textures, Abeyta employs a variety of media, including oil and sand painting, oil and monotype, acrylics, mixed-media, and printmaking, to bring his bold images to life. His unmistakable style seamlessly blends traditional and contemporary influences, often featuring abstract representations of Navajo deities, sacred images, and nature scenes.

Abeyta's use of color is particularly striking, with a palette that frequently includes vibrant turquoise, red, and purple. "The colors are representative of where I'm from," he explains, emphasizing the importance of these hues in his work. Many of his paintings are textured with materials such as sawdust or sand, giving them a unique, sculptural quality that adds depth and dimension.

This Yei Mask painting is presented with rough deckled edges on heavy-weight watercolor paper, adding to its tactile appeal. The piece is floated on a black fabric background and handsomely framed with a black frame featuring a turquoise inner border. The raised surface, especially in the headdress, enhances the three-dimensional effect of the work. The painting is signed "Tony Abeyta" on both the front and back, affirming its authenticity and the artist's signature touch.

Diné artist Tony Abeyta (b. 1965) is a leading figure in contemporary Native American painting. He received his education at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, the Maryland Institute College of Art in Baltimore, and furthered his studies in Italy and Southern France. Tony Abeyta is the son of renowned Diné painter Narciso Platero Abeyta (1918-1998), also known as Ha So De.

Abeyta's work is featured in several major museums, including the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, the Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, and the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. He has garnered numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. Abeyta currently resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Berkeley, California.

Condition: excellent original condition

Provenance: this Original Mixed Media Painting by Diné Artist Tony Abeyta is from the estate of a Santa Fean

Recommended Reading: 

- Abeyta | To'Hajiilee K'é  This book is about the former exhibit at the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe. It chronicles the important Navajo family of artists, a father, son, and two daughters: Narciso Abeyta (1918-1998), Pablita Abeyta (1953-2017), Elizabeth Abeyta (1955-2006) Nah-Glee-eh-Bah, and Tony Abeyta (b. 1965). The catalog-book is available at the Wheelwright Museum.

- 100 Artists of the Southwest by Douglas Bullis

TAGS: Navajo Nation, Native American Fine Art, Narciso Platero Abeyta, Tony Abeyta, Elizabeth Abeyta