Original Painting of a Hopi-style Buffalo Dance [SOLD]

It is generally accepted that Fred Kabotie is the greatest Hopi painter of all times, and that Waldo Mootzka and Otis Polelonema trade off as the second greatest.  Polelonema was, of course, a Santa Fe Indian School student (1914-1920) and credited his experience there and his contact with Superintendent and Mrs. De Huff as a major influence on him in the art field.

Several boys, while still in school, received encouragement after class from Superintendent and Mrs. De Huff in their home at the Indian School.  Among them were Ma-Pe-Wi, Fred Kabotie, Otis Polelonema, and Awa Tsireh.  Dr. Edward Lee Hewett said of them "these young Indians were simply protected from learning art by our methods and enabled to go on in their own way in which no one can teach them."

Dorothy Dunn stated that Polelonema was a strong artist and a true primitive and these facts jump straight to the eye. She further stated "Much of the charm of the paintings is inherent in their straightforward and rugged naiveté.  They reflect the artist's ability to override rules to the direct creation of his own techniques and devices in the matter of such bugaboos as perspective, light and shade, and color theory.  He masters them all, and how delightfully."

Polelonema won the Ann Evans Memorial Award in 1954 at the Denver Art Museum, followed by the Southwest Association on Indian Affairs Award and the Denman Prize in New Mexico exhibitions.  His works were included in every major exhibit, national and international, in the early 1900s.

This painting is of a Hopi-style buffalo dance.  This is the old version of the dance that is not very common today.  The costumes are very simple and abbreviated compared to the more elaborate version seen in some presentations.  Frequently on buffalo dance weekends in January, many groups will perform (Hopi Buffalo, Tewa-style Buffalo, etc.).  This costuming is that of a group that is more impromptu and has not had the time to finish all of the elaborate regalia such as the headdresses and sun shields usually worn by the women.  Of course, a Koyaala or Tewa Clown is accompanying them, which is not unusual.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: from a gentleman in California