When it comes to art, visual balance is an integral aspect. It serves as the main platform for a variety of elements, including order, unity, and equilibrium in any design. No one understands this better than John Nieto, a contemporary American Indian artist. Continue reading Balance in Contemporary Art and Design
Art and culture at their very core serve as some of the most significant, dynamic, participation, and social influences of human behavior and interaction. When put together, they have the ability to generate empathy, stir up dialogue, induce reflection and charter new relationships and ideas.
John Nieto is considered to be one of America’s most prolific contemporary American Indian artists. His work mainly focuses on themes that exceed simple representation. He makes use of intense primary colors that are applied in bold strokes to bring about dimension and character to the canvas.
Continue reading John Nieto on Historical Significance Within Art
Not everyone who appreciates art is of a high economic status, and this means that art prints could be their only option of securing beautiful pieces of art for their homes or offices. This is basically what John Nieto does for his limited edition reproductions. In the same way musicians write a song and don’t actually sell the song, but sell records, he does the same thing using giclee printing.
For tens of thousands of years, wild beasts have been a major inspiration source for our creative impulse, and the most ancient cave paintings depicting animals are as old as art itself. Pictures of bison, horses, deer, and other creatures can be found all across the globe, especially in France and Spain – some of these records can be traced back to roughly forty thousand years ago. Back in those days, the representation of animals was much more objective, as they were seen as sources of food and pelts for those severe winters, nothing else. However, as our human processes started to evolve, so did our artistic understandings and perceptions. Animal portrayals gained subjectivity, as they acquired a more symbolic and spiritual status.
If you’re familiar with Native American artists like John Nieto, you’ve likely enjoyed his culturally rich and contemporary american indian art. In today’s modern age, people are quick to throw around terms like “modern” and “contemporary,” when describing works of art from Nieto and other painters. But what does “contemporary” actually mean in today’s art scene? Is it the same or different from modern art? Although the words contemporary and modern can be used interchangeably in some situations, when it comes to art, modern art and contemporary art represents to two different eras.
American Indian artist John Nieto portrays strong cultural practices of traditional Native American tribes. His fauvism-inspired art pieces draw upon strong historical themes that represent the lifestyle and cultural norms of various Native Americans. The buffalo is often depicted within his paintings because it played a key role in American Indian lifestyles. Especially in Plains Indian tribes, buffalo were an important part of the lifestyle, folklore and spiritual practices.
Continue reading The Symbolism of Buffalo in Native American Culture
“Mama knows best” is a timeless truth. It’s a reality that transcends cultures, racial differences, geographical barriers and speaks to the heart of the human condition. Even within patriarchal societies, women and the influence they operate over their children has been documented and celebrated. Within traditional Native American cultures, there were tribes that recognized the wisdom of women, but continued to keep men as the dominant ruling class and decision makers. However, other tribes like Cherokee and Navajo upheld a matriarchal society where women ruled.
Contemporary Native American art is taking a stand against prejudice and stereotype. Embedded within mainstream culture are notions and beliefs about American Indians that simply aren’t true. Movies like Pocahontas reinforce idealized concepts of the Native American lifestyle that are now being challenged by contemporary American Indian artists.
Continue reading Overcoming Stereotypes and Expectations with Contemporary Native American Art
In many Native American cultures, women held prominent positions of power and respect within the society. They wore many hats including mother, builder, warrior, farmer, craftswomen, and more. Continue reading The Important Role of Native American Women
