A670 Stan Natchez
“Greasy Grass” original painting by Shoshone/Paiute artist Stan Natchez. The 32 x 54 mixed medium painting is on a reproduction of a Columbian World’s Fair ticket.
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The Battle of the Little Bighorn, known to Lakota as the Battle of the Greasy Grass,[1] and commonly referred to as Custer's Last Stand, was an armed engagement between combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho tribes, against the 7th Cavalry Regiment of the United States Army. - The World's Columbian Exposition (the official shortened name for the World's Fair: Columbian Exposition,[1] also known as The Chicago World's Fair and Chicago Columbian Exposition) was a world's fair held in Chicago in 1893 to celebrate the 400th anniversary of Christopher Columbus's arrival in the New World in 1492.
Stan Natchez, Shoshone/Paiute, is known for his innovative and creative paintings. He is also a traditional Native American dancer who has performed worldwide. Stan says “every painting I do is, in some way, a self-portrait. My experience is my art…and art is my life.”
He often uses dollar bills and other paper, such as the yellow pages or newspapers as the background for his painting. It is a way for him to document our current times. As Natchez says, "People don't realize that we live in history. I think it is the artist's responsibility to document the times that they live in.”
About the artist
Stan Natchez
(Shoshone-Tataviam or Paiute b. 1954 – present)
Stan Natchez is known for his innovative and creative paintings. Inspired by Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns, T.C. Cannon and other pop artists, his paintings exude the power of color and familiar objects. His canvases often begin with artifacts of American culture that either directly or indirectly reflect Indians. He then includes figures such as Native Americans, mission priests or cowboys. Intricate "stars and stripes" beadwork add texture to bold works that emanate beauty and joy. Dollar bills are layered on the canvas as a modern-day buffalo hide.
In addition to being a nationally known artist, Natchez has distinguished himself as a graduate student, teacher, dancer, editorial advisor, and legal advocate for the native American community. As a traditional dancer who performed in European capitals as well as throughout the United States, Natchez developed a fine eye for both color and composition from the beadwork he created for his regalia. He also credits dance as a medium for building a stronger sense of cultural self-esteem.
Having earned a Bachelor of Science degree at the University of Southern Colorado (Education) and a Master of Fine Arts (Curriculum) at Arizona State University, Stan Natchez has always been an educator, and a student of the world. Former Humanities Department Chairman at Arizona's Orme School, he has also taught art in several public schools. He was Editorial Advisor and Education Coordinator for the Native Peoples Magazine. In addition to being an artist, Mr. Natchez is a legal advocate for the Native American community.
In terms of his art, Natchez feels strongly about communicating contemporary Native American philosophy that has been purged of any romantic or stereotypical idealism. He says, "I paint the life I live and so every painting, in some way, is a self-portrait. My art is about you and the way I respond. that is my experience...my experience is my art...and art is my life.
"I feel fortunate for having been raised in the city because of the perspective it game me on modern life. However, without an awareness of our traditional heritage, we as Native Americans have no identity. By taking the best of both worlds, the modern and the traditional, we are better able to find balance in our lives."
Museum Collection
Boston Fine Arts Museum
Santa Fe Fine Arts Museum
Booth Western Art Museum
Albuquerque Fine Arts Museum
Smithsonian Institute
Autry Museum of Western Art
Selected Publications
Winchell, Katie, "Balancing Two Worlds," Whole Life Times, Los Angeles, CA, September 2004
DeLeon,Yadhira, "The Art of Stan Natchez."LatinoLA, Los Angeles, CA, June 2004
Deats, Suzanna, "I Paint the Life I Live," Focus/Santa Fe, Santa Fe, NM, January - March 2001
Sandoval, Aubrey, "On the Money", Santa Fe New Mexican, July 27, 2001
Zatecky, Lorenz, Meeting on a Bridge: Stan Natchez, Shoshoni/Tataviam, Munich: Bachmaier, 1998
