Small Original Painting of a Horse [SOLD]

Abel Sanchez was known as Oqwa Pi in the Tewa language.  He was the grandfather of San Ildefonso potter Russell Sanchez. Except for what little instruction he received at the Santa Fe Indian School, he had no other formal training. To quote the artist: "I, Oqwa Pi, have been painting since the early 1920s.  As I found that painting was the best among my talents, I decided to do my best to win me fame as an Indian artist....as an artist, I have raised a big, healthy family for my painting brought in good income...." Artist’s letter to Philbrook Art Center

Characteristic of Oqwa Pi's style, there are no backgrounds, foregrounds, and minimal ground lines. This tends to make his art charming and true to the folk-art style and certainly true to the Santa Fe Indian School style.  The fresh color and action and the great simplicity of his paintings made the works of his well-received in exhibits at the Milwaukee Art Institute, Yale University, Museum of Modern Art in New York City, Stanford University and the Gallery of Fine Arts in Muskegon, Michigan.  

This simple black and white painting of a horse easily demonstrates his outstanding artistic talents.  His addition of an undulating multi-colored ground plane with a couple grasses offset the stark black and white of the horse. Oqwa Pi was a very talented self-taught artist who was well appreciated when he was alive and is well appreciated still today. 

Some reference books translate Oqwa Pi as Red Cloud.  But, in fact, Russell Sanchez says that his grandfather's name more accurately translates to Kachina Stick.

Condition:  very good condition

Recommended Reading: Southwest Indian Painting: a Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner.