Fritz Scholder's "Indians Forever" Suite and Other Works

The artist has to transcend a subject, or he loses the battle—the subject wins. -Fritz Scholder

Fritz Scholder vowed early in his career never to “paint the Indian.”  Scholder, who was one-quarter Luiseno, found himself immersed in Native art while living in Santa Fe and teaching at the newly established Institute of American Indian Art.  As an abstract artist, he had little interest in creating traditional flat-style works like the ones being made and sold by Native artists in Santa Fe.  The romanticized, idealized Indian portrayed in paintings by Anglo-Americans was, to him, a “tremendous visual cliche.”  He ultimately rescinded his vow and decided that he needed to “paint the Indian” in a way that the Indian had never before been painted.

Scholder painted his first Indian on a winter night in 1967.  He tackled the subject vigorously, honestly, and with little regard for how his work would be received.  His postmodern creative voice and unique sense of humor resulted in pieces that attracted a fair amount of controversy.  His compositional prowess and expressionist tendencies resulted in an incredible amount of beauty.  Scholder would eventually become very famous, and these images—hundreds of paintings and hundreds of lithographs—would become some of his most iconic.

Nearly 50 years later, these images are not just beautiful and exciting—they are absolutely essential.  They are as thematically challenging and visually astounding today as they were when they were first created.  That Scholder’s begrudging entry into the world of Indian art happened right here in Santa Fe is no surprise—this place will inspire something even in those who are determined not to be inspired.

This Show has been Extended!

This exhibit, which opened October 20 and will continue through December 2017, includes lithographs, paintings, drawings, monotypes, serigraphs, and a complete "Indians Forever" lithograph portfolio.  The exhibit may be viewed during our normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 10am to 5pm.