Abstract Pastel Drawing of a Multistoried Pueblo [SOLD]

Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo is the largest, most northerly, and the most geographically isolated of the six Tewa villages. It was where the Spanish selected as their first capital when they arrived in the late 1500s.  Six months later, they moved their capital to Santa Fe.  San Juan, as it was christened by the Spaniards, is known as one of the pueblos where ritual and political matters continue to be strictly observed. Living and working in this environment, Montoya developed two independent sides of his art: figurative studies of traditional Tewa ritual; and his more cerebral, purely abstract studies of color and form. His popular figurative works brim with vitality and action. His strong asymmetric compositions, such as this image of a pueblo, come to life as if one were witnessing the pueblo rather than viewing a piece of art.

Montoya worked in pure pastel colors which classifies his work as drawings, not paintings.  The pastel colors are in stick form and can be used like working a piece of chalk.  He was very adept at using pastel colors.  This drawing is abstract in layout but discernable sufficiently as a multistoried pueblo building.

Tommy was a close friend and I watched him work with pastels on occasion and was amazed at how easily he visualized what he wanted to do and how well he executed his thoughts.  He was a fine artist and I know of no other pueblo artist producing drawings of his style.

Condition: appears to be in original condition.

Recommended Reading: Young American Indian Artists, Riverside Museum, New York, NY, 1965-1966 exhibit catalog in which he was exhibited

Provenance: from the home of a Santa Fe resident