Artist

Oqwa Pi

born San Ildefonso Pueblo, NM 1899-died Los Alamos, NM 1971
Also known as
  • Abel Sanchez
  • Red Cloud
  • Oqua Pi
Born
San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, United States
Died
Los Alamos, New Mexico, United States
Active in
  • Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
Biography

An active member of San Ildefonso's political and social life, Oqwa Pi served as both lieutenant governor and governor of the pueblo. The figures in his paintings are highly stylized and the faces are made up of geometric design. The artist once explained:

As I found that painting was the best among my talents, I decided to do my best to win me fame as an Indian artist. … I have raised a big healthy family, for my painting brought in good income.

Andrew Connors Pueblo Indian Watercolors: Learning by Looking, A Study Guide (Washington, D.C.: National Museum of American Art, 1993).

Works by this artist (1036 items)

View all artworks
William H. Johnson, Portrait of a Man, ca. 1935-1938, oil on burlap, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.814
Portrait of a Man
Artist
Dateca. 1935-1938
oil on burlap
On view
William H. Johnson, Tehran Conference, ca. 1945, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.647
Tehran Conference
Artist
Dateca. 1945
oil on plywood
On view
William H. Johnson, For India and China, ca. 1944-1945, oil on paperboard, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.662
For India and China
Artist
Dateca. 1944-1945
oil on paperboard
On view
William H. Johnson, Breakdown with Flat Tire, ca. 1940-1941, oil on plywood, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.587
Breakdown with Flat Tire
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
oil on plywood
On view