Original Painting of an Apache Gaan (Crown or Devil) Dancer [SOLD]

The Apache Crown or Devil Dancers are more appropriately named the Gaan and they can appear at a girl's puberty ceremony and at curing ceremonies.  The style of the headpieces of the Gaan is an indication of the ceremony in which they are appearing. The Gaan personify the four Mountain Spirits, supporters of the four corners of the earth, providing for world balance.  The dances represent the powers of the Gaan, protectors of the Apache.

Rance Hood, a Comanche, has chosen to paint his interpretation of an Apache Gaan ceremony.  Many Indian artist witness ceremonies of other native tribes and then express their interpretation of them.  We see this quite often in paintings.

Rance Hood has had a varied job career—mill worker, oil field worker, designer, sculptor and painter.  He received a commission from Turbo West Aircraft Company for an exterior design for the Cheyenne III jet aircraft.  He also received a commission from the Comanche Nation to design a commemorative emblem and medallion, and a commission from Comanche County, Oklahoma, for a directory cover. These commissions serve as recognition of his talent as an artist. Publications in which he has been featured and exhibits of his art are much too numerous to list here.  It suffices to say that he is a talented Oklahoma artist and has received such recognition.

This painting of a very actively dancing Gaan was executed in a modernist style.  The flames of the fire and the upper body of the dancer are less than realistic but more free-flowing.  To compensate for this, the detail of the dancer’s skirt is representational.  His treatment of the reflection of the moon provides a splendid background for the dancer.  The painting is an excellent portrayal of a ceremony that can be witnessed in July every year on the Apache Reservation.

Condition: appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame.

Provenance: from a family collection from Pennsylvania