Enduring Legacies - The Paintings of Velarde, Hardin, and Bagshaw

Adobe Gallery is honored to showcase the enduring artistic legacies of Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin, and Margarete Bagshaw—three pivotal figures in Native American art who seamlessly melded their heritage with the spirit of their times.

Pablita Velarde (1918-2006), also known as Tse Tsan - Golden Dawn, was a pioneer in painting traditional Native American imagery, exemplified by her mural project for Bandelier National Monument. Her works vividly capture native rituals and customs, rooted in the traditional Santa Fe style she learned from Dorothy Dunn. Velarde's intricate watercolors and paintings, such as “Painting of a Deer Dancer”, showcase her mastery of mineral earth paints, offering viewers a mesmerizing glimpse into the rich tapestry of Native American life.

Helen Hardin (1943-1984), or Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh - Little Standing Spruce, carried forward her mother's artistic legacy with her own unique style. Evolving from her early "little Indian paintings," Hardin's art ventured into a realm of vibrant abstraction and geometric patterns, as seen in pieces like “Messenger from the Sun”. Her work, infused with symbols of Native American culture, reflects a blend of tradition and contemporary expression, grappling with themes of identity and struggle.

Margarete Bagshaw (1964 - 2015) continued the artistic lineage of her forebears, infusing her bold Modernist paintings with dynamic color palettes and geometric motifs. Drawing from her Tewa heritage, Bagshaw's artworks, such as Prismacolor drawings like “Solipsism”, offer introspective glimpses into the artist's inner world. Despite her untimely passing, Bagshaw's contributions remain a testament to the enduring power of art to transcend boundaries.

Each of these remarkable artists epitomizes the artistic spirit of their respective eras, contributing uniquely to the evolution of Native American art. Through their shared sense of geometry and cultural resonance, they have left an indelible mark on the art of the Southwest.