Don Oelze’s fascination with cowboys and Native Americans began as a small boy, and has reverberated into an awe-inspiring, elegant display of works to be featured at Legacy Gallery. The show of 10 new works reflects Oelze’s deep connection to America and his extensive knowledge of Native American culture and life in the West.
War and Peace, oil, 22 x 18"Even when growing up in New Zealand to American missionary parents, Oelze “always had a longing for being in America.” His first inspirations came from artifacts found on his grandparent’s farm on the eastern coast of the United States, where there were known burial grounds. Also, young Oelze never missed the only two American television shows in New Zealand; Daniel Boon and The High Chaparral. The icing on the cake was receiving an American Indian outfit his grandmother handmade as a Christmas gift.
Upon moving back to the States with his family, Oelze was finally able to experience his fantasies of the West and bring them to life. “I’ve done a lot of Native scenery over the years,” says Oelze, “but I never get bored with it and I don’t think I ever will. In this show, I’m really focusing on moments. My stories aren’t always big stories, but rather small moments.” Oelze truly captures history in what he calls “narrative paintings.”
Eyes Along the River, oil, 30 x 46"
“I’m always trying to tell a story,” he adds, “but I’m mainly telling it to myself because I’m so fascinated by stories from books and movies. I never get bored with the subject. It’s always a new adventure.”
Paintings such as War and Peace, depicting a Native American figure in full dress against a clouded sky, portrays the dichotomy between the war and peace that existed between Native Americans and white colonizers. “In the painting, there are things that represent war and some that represent peace,” Oelze explains. “[For instance], the figure has on a buffalo robe with pictographic scenes that showed his battle and war history, but around his neck is a peace medal which was minted by President Jefferson in 1809. They were distributed to some of the leading men or chiefs of the many nations.”
The Danger Zone, oil, 38 x 42"
Other significant works in the show will be Eyes Along the River, showing Native American men on horseback on the lookout. “In reading a lot of books and journals,” says Oelze,
“I learned the importance of rivers. They were the highways back then, before there were roads. Even before the white man, Indians used rivers to get places. Eventually, the rivers brought the early white men, and it became a major highway for trading. The painting shows Natives hiding behind the river, watching, as they were also toll takers.”
Abandoned Wickiup, oil, 42 x 36"
Oelze’s hope is that viewers really get a sense of the story portrayed in each painting. Each piece, while in his rich, realistic style, feature different color formulas that accompany each small moment. Oelze will also be featuring not just male moments, but women as well.
Although Oelze paints what he likes to call “simple” or “small” moments, his breadth of skill and clear grasp of history is anything but small. Join Legacy Gallery in celebrating Oelze’s new collection from May 6 through May 16, with an artist reception May 6, from 6 to 8 p.m.
Upcoming Show
Up to 10 works
May 6-16, 2021
Legacy Gallery
7178 Main Street
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 945-8818
www.legacygallery.com
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