Centennial Call to Artists Winner

Seeds of the Future by Lynnette Haozous

“Reflecting upon the works of the history of Taos’s arts and culture, I always found it particularly interesting the story behind the relationships between the models of Taos Pueblo and the master artists, Walter Ufer, Joseph Henry Sharp, and Eanger Irving Couse. These artists, and many more, were primarily influenced by the Taos Pueblo people, land, and culture. The art that they created from these portraits of Taos Pueblo people went out into the world and heavily influenced representations of “The West” and “Native People.” Often the Pueblo models were posed and modeled doing cultural work, and eventually these models became their own agents of social change. Today, Taos Pueblo people have our own agency to be artists who can represent ourselves accurately and with autonomy.

Images: Courtesy of the artist.

As an artist who is also Native American, I choose to represent contemporary Native lifestyle, turning away from the often romanticized and fetishized versions made of us in earlier years. I like to paint portraits of Native people in their element today, living both in the modern world, while carrying on our traditions of thousands of years.

The installation portrays a moment between three young Taos Pueblo women and a baby, who are spending time together, looking after the next generation––carrying the “seeds of the future.” This is further symbolized by the painted magpies who fly through the installation, carrying seeds and sticks to build a nest for the future as well. A depiction of contemporary Taos Pueblo life, the mural depicts women carrying their traditions forward, just being and living in their element.

My design inspirations come from traditional designs, pottery, basketry, and stories, meshed with vibrant color schemes. The context of my work revolves around honoring Indigenous women, the restoration of Indigenous matriarchy, and decolonizing space through public murals. In my mural works, I like to work collaboratively with the community in which I am invited into working, to create dialogue of pressing issues in that respected community. As my ancestors did before me, I observe, document, and share my story and experiences by painting on walls and public, accessible spaces, to leave a mark and message that we as Native people remain resilient and present.”

–– Lynnette Haozous, Taos Pueblo/Chiricahua Apache/Diné

Harwood Centennial: Call to Artists

In December 2022, Harwood Museum of Art released a Call to Artists in pursuit of an original work of art for the Centennial Exhibition (June 3, 2023–January 28, 2024).

In celebration of the hundred-year anniversary of the creation of Harwood Museum of Art in 2023, the museum is embarking on a multi-faceted programming endeavor which will cement its significant role in the history of the Southwest and the art history of America. An exhibition, publication, and public programing series will be produced for the Harwood Museum Centennial. A significant feature of the Centennial Exhibition will be the commission of an original work of art with the theme, “Envisioning the Future.”

The Call to Artists jury included Nicole Dial-Kay, Curator of Exhibitions + Collections, Gwendolyn Fernandez, Curator of Education + Public Programs, Juniper Manley, Executive Director, and Emily Santhanam, Curatorial Assistant from Harwood Museum of Art; and Victor Goler, artist, Vernon Lujan, Deputy Tribal Programs Administrator, Taos Pueblo, and Ari Myers, owner + curator, The Valley. The jurying process was competitive and selections were made with enormous gravity and consideration by the jurors.

All judging was based on the criteria highlighted in the Request for Proposals:
 

• Relevance to the Harwood Museum, Taos, and/or Northern New
• Innovation in considering what the future could or should look like
• Celebration of the Harwood Museum of Art and/or the arts of Northern New Mexico as significant centers of artistic generation
• Emphasis on the ethnic, cultural, and community diversity of Northern New Mexico
• Incorporation of community voices and involvement
• Inspiration for museum visitors to imagine what communities could accomplish in the future
• Aesthetics
• Artistic skill in technique or medium
• Strength of concept behind works
• Strength in relevance of work

Harwood Centennial Sponsors

Supporting

Cindy Atkins 

Georgia O’Keeffe Museum  

Traci Chavez-McAdams and Scott McAdams 

Harwood Centennial is made possible by the generous support of Henry Luce Foundation, Maryann Evans, Joyce and Sherman Scott, 203 Fine Art, Arroyo Seco Live, Inc., The University of New Mexico Office of Academic Affairs, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, Traci Chavez-McAdams and Scott McAdams, Casa Benavides Inn, New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts, Clean Taos, Harwood Museum Alliance, Inc., JLH Media, Invisible City Designs, Randall Lumber & Hardware, Barbara Brenner, Ms. Bornstein, Cindy Atkins, Karen & Scott Seitter, Centinel Bank of Taos, and Taos Fall Arts. Additional funding is provided through the Betty Thom Foster Special Exhibitions Endowment and the Beatrice Mandelman and Louis Ribak Legacy Endowment of the Harwood Museum of Art.

Contributing

Casa Benavides Inn, Clean Taos, Goldleaf Framers, Harwood Museum Alliance, Inc., Invisible City Designs, JLH Media, Randall Lumber & Hardware