Description:
Watercolor on paper. Signed l.r.: Pablita Velarde, Stamped u.r: PLANCHE 60.
From: American Indian Painters, Vol. 2, p. 9: "In the last five years, I have not painted steady. I have a family how, a girl age four and a boy two and a half years old, I have a wonderful husband (non-Indian). He is now going to school here at the University of California." So writes Pablita. It sounds exactly like many other talented girls who find it difficult to pursue a career and have a family. Pablita is a happy young wife and a devoted mother. Perhaps that is more important. But...she is also a talented artist. The painting "Sun Basket Dance", owned by the University of Oklahoma, is as fine as any Indian painting in its large collection. Here six persons are performing the sacred rite. The composition is symmetrical and pivoted in the center like a painting of the old Quatrocento Madonna and saints. The male dancers are in white and the women in red and black, with the drummer and chorus to support the color harmony. The artist has made good use of her grey paper. Pablita belongs to the people who make the beautiful black pottery, the Santa Clara tribe. She was born in 1918. She has contributed mural art to her native state, at Bandelier National Monument Museum, and in stores in Albuquerque. She has also had her watercolors exhibited far and wide, in the Governor's Palace, the University of New Mexico, University of Oklahoma, University of California, Philbrook, and elsewhere. Practically all her work is concerned with the home life of the Pueblos and their religious festivals. She has made a real contribution to American culture and it is hoped that her present worthy interest will not absorb all her time. (Collection, University of Oklahoma) Map references: Santa Clara Pueblo (N.M.)