Native Pop Art Exhibit Extended Through October

Posted by Navajo Times | Aug 25, 2016 | Life |

Special to the Times | J. Morgan Edwards Photography
(Left to right) Steven Paul Judd, Brent Learned, J. Nicole Hatfield, and Joe Hopkins, four of the participating artists for the Native Pop Art exhibit at the Santa Fe Indian Market in downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico.5

By Jason Morgan Edwards
Special to the Times

The Santa Fe Indian Market may have ended on Sunday, but the Native Pop Art exhibit has been extended through Oct. 31. Originally, the exhibit was scheduled to close at the end of August. Pop Gallery Director, Sharla Throckmorton-McDowell, extended the dates to give visitors a greater chance to see the showpieces.

The Native Pop Art exhibit features work by: Brent Learned (Cheyenne/Arapaho), Joe Hopkins (Creek/Seminole), Steven Paul Judd (Kiowa), J Nicole Hatfield (Comanche), Bunky EchoHawk (Pawnee), Gregg Deal (Pyramid Lake Paiute), Debra Yepa-Pappan (Jemez/Korean), Ryan Redcorn (Osage), Joshua Garrett (Creek/Seminole) and Steven Grounds (Navajo/Euchee).

Learned and a few other artists, began conceptualizing this show almost two years ago. “I talked to Joe, and I talked to Steven Paul. It kind of evolved into like, ‘Man, we need to get together and put a show together.’ The galleries that represent me don’t do kind of show. And the ones that represent them don’t like to have competing artists. We don’t see this as competition. This is about getting the message out about what we’re doing.”

Hopkins adds, “The show is an exhibition for the up-and-coming pop or contemporary artists. It’s showing that Native American artists aren’t just painting in traditional styles. There’s a lot more going on within the art world, as far as conveying our creative abilities. We still keep our heritage, cultures, and traditions alive. Yet, we do it in a different style than people would normally see.”

The exhibit debuted in Oklahoma City to outstanding reviews. Learned is optimistic about the future, too. “The word is still getting out about the show. It makes me feel good. We’re doing the right thing. We’re on the right path. For so long, people were used to thinking of Native American art in one or two ways. We’re showing them this is another avenue that Native American artists have. We’re not just painting things from the past. We’re also painting things from now.”