Original Painting “Abstract Dancer” by Russell Sanchez [SOLD]

After having the great pleasure of speaking with the artist: this is a painting of an abstract dancer by Russell Sanchez— a wildly talented San Ildefonso Pueblo artist.  Adobe Gallery does not often have the delight to converse with the artists we feature—as more often than not they are long deceased.  Sanchez has been making art for most of his life, as evident with this painting signed and dated, making him just 12 years old when he created it. 

This painting features natural pigments in a customary, but saturated palette.  The central figure dances in ceremonial regalia and holds evergreen sprigs and a horsehair rattle in his hands.  The sash behind the dancer represents the environment, the quail above— or Pueblo Bird as the artist refers to it— the sky.  

Below, a figure’s head appears, smoking an abstract feather pipe and represents the spirits coming out as the dancer asks the clouds for rain.  The upper left portion features the clouds the dancer is communicating with, asking for much needed moisture for the corn plants to flourish. Altogether, the scene is a complete circle and a highly attractive creation for an artist more commonly known for his pottery.     

Award winning San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Russell Sanchez is unquestionably one of the most talented and creative of the current pueblo potters. He was born July 29, 1966, at San Ildefonso Pueblo. He is the grandson of Oqwa Pi (Abel Sanchez), a famous early San Ildefonso painter. Russell's grandmother and Rose Gonzales were sisters.

Russell Sanchez (1966- ) could be referred to as a "modernist" potter. His work shows influence from Tony Da and Popovi Da. He has incorporated different colors of clay into his work, often combining two or more colors in the same vessel. He inserts turquoise stones into some pieces, and inlays heishe into others. He often adds a lid to a vessel. At times he adds micaceous slip to a piece of pottery. He is an innovator in the use of clay, slip, color, and vessel shape.

Condition: some natural abrasion to the pigments in the upper left corner but overall, this Pueblo painting is in very good condition.

Provenance:  this Original Painting "Abstract Dancer" by Russell Sanchez was inherited from the collector’s father and came from a private collection in Washington. 

Recommended Reading:

- Southwest Indian Painting: a changing art by Clara Lee Tanner

- Art of Clay: Timeless Pottery of the Southwest by Lee M. Cohen

Relative Links: Abel Sanchez, Rose Gonzales, Southwest Indian Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Tony Da, Popovi Da, Russell Sanchez, San Ildefonso Pueblo Potter