Beatien Yazz Painting Exhibit

Diné artist Beatien Yazz was an extraordinarily talented painter. During his long career and in the years since his passing, his works have remained incredibly popular among collectors of Native American paintings. Adobe Gallery has handled hundreds of his works over the years, and we have rarely struggled to find a new home for a piece.

Yazz' work is clearly rooted in the traditional style of the early Diné and Pueblo painters, but it's also quite stylish and distinctive. His reverence for his culture and his predecessors' work is apparent in his favorite subjects—horses and other wildlife, children at play, the occasional landscape or ceremonial scene. The way these subjects are depicted, however, expands beyond the boundaries of the traditional style. Yazz' use of color is consistently inventive, adding depth and energy using non-naturalistic tones. Decorative elements appear frequently and successfully. The inclusion of his subjects' environments—from subtle natural elements to complete detailed landscapes—further elevates his work beyond the ordinary. Most significant, though, are the indescribable qualities of character and desirability, areas in which Yazz' warm and appealing paintings excel.

A few weeks ago, we were offered access to a large collection of Yazz' works. They belonged to a Santa Fe collector who passed away recently. We visited his home and were surprised to find almost 50 Yazz paintings, the majority of which were purchased directly from the artist. We selected fifteen paintings which, individually and collectively, provide a fascinating look at one of the most enduringly popular Diné painters.

Relative Links: Navajo Reservation, Spin a Silver Dollar, Paint the Wind, paintings, Yazz: Navajo Painter, Beatien Yazz, Navajo Nation Painter