Native American art is a great source of inspiration for contemporary artists. There are many contemporary native artists that are still creating new work. The creativity, passion and dedication they bring to their artwork is inspiring.
Many people choose to visit museums and galleries to see this amazing artwork. Although there are many native american population’s, each one has it’s own unique style of art. Here at Contemporaries of the Southwest we hope to promote these amazing contemporary native artists and give you insight into their thought process as they create their artworks.
This collection makes it clear that the finest Native American artists are still creating art today, and many of them are living in the Four Corners region. We hope to visit more of them this year, and bring you their stories as well.
We’ve visited a number of contemporary Native American artists, and have some great stories to tell–but until our next post, we hope you enjoy this collection of some of the most beautiful Native American artists’ work we could find.
Southwest Native American artists are the last of the indigenous people who created and sold their work in an era before the advent of photography and mass media. By showcasing these artists, Southwest Native American Artists is dedicated to preserving a part of our history that is quickly disappearing.
Tribal elders have stated that only art from the heart will endure. We hope you find what we present here to be a truthful expression of the hearts of these artists.
I started this blog as a friendly place to get information about native american art, and anyone can contribute. I’ve worked with a lot of artists, so I know that there is a lot of diversity in native american art. Not all of it is going to appeal to you.
The posts, however, are all mine. I am an artist myself, and I have learned from the artists I have shown at my gallery. Because the main purpose of this blog is to educate and inform, you are welcome to disagree with me.
I’m always looking for artists to write about or feature here. If you’re interested in writing for me or being featured on this blog, please let me know!
Southwest Museum is an art museum in the heart of Los Angeles that is dedicated to the preservation, presentation and study of Native American cultures.
It was founded in 1907 by a group of prominent Los Angeles citizens, led by Dr. Frank F. Bandy, and incorporated in 1909 as the first museum in California devoted solely to Native American art.
The Southwest Museum maintains quality collections of over 20,000 archaeological and ethnographic objects as well as historic building and cultural landscapes.
The University of California Press has collaborated with Southwest Museum to publish a series of monographs on topics related to Native American art, archaeology and anthropology. The partnership between these two institutions allows us to reach a more general audience through the distribution of our publications while maintaining the integrity and high standards that readers have come to expect from both publishers.”**
I am a native american artist from the Navajo Nation, born and raised on the reservation. I have been creating art since I was a little girl. My mentor is my mother. From her, I learned to appreciate the beauty of native art and to value the importance of self-expression in creating art.
I love being an artist because it allows me to express myself and share that expression with others through my drawings, paintings, and jewelry.
Who knew that there is a Native American Artist association? The Native American Artist Association (NAAA) is an organization which was formed in 1994 and is dedicated to promoting the artistry of living native artists as well as preserving the cultural heritage of all North Americans, through exhibitions and education.
The NAAA is an organization for contemporary, living Native American artists who are enrolled members of federally recognized tribes. NAAA’s primary mission is to promote the artistry of living native artists as well as preserve the cultural heritage of all North Americans through exhibitions and education.
Tribal leaders, curators, scholars and collectors worldwide gather in the galleries to view and purchase paintings by highly talented Indian Artists. In addition to original paintings, there are limited edition prints of various Indian Artists at NAFA auctions.
The association has solo shows at galleries around the country, most notably in New York City, Chicago and Scottsdale Arizona. Artists also present their work at museums such as the Heard Museum in Phoenix Arizona and the Cleveland Museum of Art in Cleveland Ohio.