Santa Clara Pueblo Corn Dancer [SOLD]

For Helen Hardin, art awards began at the early age of six when she won first prize for the best black and white pencil drawing of a fire engine.  Encouraged by her mother, Helen was soon competing in Indian art competition for children.  She sold her first painting at the age of nine at the Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial at Gallup, New Mexico.  During her high school years, Helen was featured in an article in the June, 1959 issue of the national magazine, “Seventeen.” She competed in many student art competitions in New Mexico and designed and supervised school projects where artistic ability was needed.  While in school, Helen won several local beauty contests for young Indian girls.

Helen and her mother, Pablita Velarde, exhibited in many public events and were both exhibited as exclusive artists by Fred and Margarete Chase at Enchanted Mesa Indian Arts, Albuquerque.  This painting by Helen is signed and had the date 1966 on the cardboard backing.  In 1966, Helen was 23 years old and was being exhibited at Enchanted Mesa Indian Arts.  This painting is actually pictured in the photograph of Helen on the front of an undated Enchanted Mesa brochure (see below).

Interestingly, Helen had already developed her cubist style as early as this painting.  Notice the arms and legs of the male figure.  It is a style that seems to have been short lived as her later works were more architectural with triangles, circles and other geometric forms not seen in this painting.  This is a rare early painting by Helen Hardin that well illustrates her amazing artistic talent at an early age.

Condition: original condition and was just reframed using archival materials and museum protective glass. 

Recommended Reading:  Changing Woman: The Life and Art of Helen Hardin by Jay Scott

Provenance: from a client in Texas who purchased it in the mid-1980s from Enchanted Mesa Indian Arts, Albuquerque.

Photo of Helen Hardin (1943-1984) Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce. Image Source:  the photo copies (of original polaroid’s) of Helen Hardin appear courtesy of the photographer.