Adobe Gallery Blog

Ascensión Trujillo lived only to the age of 26 years so he probably did not produce very many paintings. This is the only one we have ever had in the gallery. Trujillo attended the Santa Fe Indian School in 1953 followed by attendance at the University of New Mexico. His attendance at the Indian School was after the tenure of art teacher Dorothy Dunn so his is not of The Studio style.

There are only two public collections containing his art, which is not surprising since his career was so short. The Red Cloud Indian School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, and the Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona, are the only two institutions listed as having his paintings. He apparently had exhibits at the Red Cloud Indian School, Museum of New Mexico, Millicent Rogers Museum in Taos and the Philbrook Art Center in Tulsa, quite an accomplishment for such a young artist. He received awards from the Museum of New Mexico and the Philbrook.

Trujillo was an extraordinarily talented young man. His rendition of the horses in this painting is very well done as is the choice of colors. The trees in the background are solid and firm and the grasses in the foreground are lively as if dancing in the wind. Overall, the artist had a very good grasp of plants and animals and executed both with a talented hand.

Condition: appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame
Provenance: Adobe Gallery sold this painting to clients in 1989 and now they have brought it back to us for placement in another client's collection for their enjoyment.

Title: Ohkay Owingeh Original Painting of Horses
Artist: Ascensión Trujillo (1933-1959) Poquin Tahn
Category: Paintings
Origin: Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo (San Juan)
Medium: tempera on paper
Size: 17-3/4" x 23-3/4" image; 24-3/4" x 30-3/4" framed
Item # C3349A