A Bit of the North in the Southwest

[ If you are receiving this message as text only and would prefer to see it in HTML, with pictures, click this link. ]

One of the highlights of our visit in Santa Fe was an interlude in the Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, just of West Palace and almost across the street from the Cathedral.A current exhibit is entitled, “Arctic Reflections” and featured works by legendary Aleut artist, Bill Prokopiof, 1944-1999. Three pieces by him, lent from the artist’s collection captivated us.

His Peter’s Wolf presents a wolf head on shrouded torso.Walrus Mask is another impressive Prokopiof work on display.Walking Wally will put a smile on the face of every walrus lover.Also on display is a carved head, entitled “The Spirit”, by Point Hope, Alaska, Eskimo artist, Othiel “Art” Anaqulutaq Oomittuk, Jr. The teeth appear to baleen.This, plus a 25-year retrospective show of the jewelry of Chugach Aleuts, Denise and Samuel Wallace, gave visitors to the Southwest at healthy dose of art from the North.