“A Life in Balance: The Art of Conrad House” is currently on display at the UNM Jonson Gallery. The exhibit includes nearly 60 artworks by Conrad House, a prolific Native American artist who earned his fine arts degree from UNM in 1980. Organized by the Jonson Gallery, this is the first retrospective of artwork by House (1956 – 1980) to be shown since his death in 2001.
Photo: Blue Heron by Conrad House
From drawing, painting, prints, and collage to assemblage, textiles, beadwork, glass and ceramics, House was always exploring the endless possibilities of creativity that he needed to release. In some of the most complex, multi-layered, overlapping, and intersecting forms of his drawings and paintings, that creativity seems about to spin out of control -- even though he never let that happen.
Throughout his life, House kept learning, asking questions, reading and exploring new artistic mediums. A man of Diné and Oneida heritage, House respected his Native cultures, referring to honored art forms and family histories. To him, Diné chief’s blankets were among the great masterpieces of art and had as strong and lasting an impact on his art as any work by Picasso.
The exhibit continues through March 10. Gallery hours are 10 a.m to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. The gallery is at 1909 Las Lomas NE. On Tuesday, March 7, Joyce Szabo, UNM professor of art and curator of “A Life in Balance” will speak on the work of Conrad House. For gallery information call (505) 277-4967.
Contact: Greg Johnston, (505) 277-1816; e-mail: gregj@unm.edu
Posted by scarr at February 15, 2006 01:22 PM