This August, Manitou Galleries will host solo shows for Aaron Hazel and Ed Natiya (Navajo). Hazel’s paintings and Natiya’s sculptures both take a close look at the people and stories that have been traditionally left out of the historical narrative.
“Growing up as a person of color in Boise, Idaho, I didn’t really have a way to voice how I felt about that kind of existence,” says Hazel. Western art has given him an opportunity to exercise his voice. “I decided on the title Belong for my show because for the most part, it’s going to be representations of African Americans in the West post-slavery.”
Aaron Hazel, Molly, oil, 48 x 48"
Some of his upcoming works will reckon with the policies that shaped the West after the Civil War, like the promise that freed slaves would be given 40 acres and a mule. “I recently did a painting with seven or eight Black children sitting on a mule,” Hazel says. “I’ll be working on more of those types of pieces that take a look at stories that have been overlooked.”
He will also have a few wildlife pieces on view, like Molly,which depicts a bear in psychedelic color. “I don’t like to put myself in a box,” he says. “I have a lot of intense, emotional pieces, but I like to juxtapose them with things that are more fun that I painted just for the heck of it.”
Aaron Hazel, Geronimo at Fort Bowie, oil, 36 x 18"
Natiya’s show is titled The Heart of the Indigenous Spirit and draws inspiration from a wide variety of Native American history and culture. “My great-great-grandfather was Chief Manuelito, one of the last Navajo chiefs, and my grandfather was a code talker in World War II, and because of that I fell in love with researching history,” he says.
His bronze sculpture Quanah, Lord of the Plainscaptures the chief of the Comanche in action. Natiya relates to Quanah Parker because they are both half Native, half white. “You feel like you have to prove yourself in two different arenas,” he says. “And Parker proved himself as a warrior, but he also proved himself as a diplomat.”
Ed Natiya, Quanah, Lord of the Plains, bronze, ed. of 15, 23 x 26 x 10"
Another piece on view is called Bear Medicine, which Natiya says honors his mother and sister, and takes inspiration from the work of other Native potters like Tammy Garcia. “In many Native tribes, the bear represents strength,” he says. “Coming out of the pandemic, I felt that was the kind of medicine people needed. The strength to go out and face the world.” And while the bear is obviously strong, Natiya notes that it’s also playful. “We need strength and courage, but we also need joy and heart.”
Ed Natiya, Bear Medicine, bronze, ed. of 15, 11 x 14 x 14"
Belong and The Heart of the Indigenous Spirit will both open August 18 with a reception from 5 to 7 p.m. Hazel’s show closes August 27, while Natiya’s closes a day later on August 28. —
Powered by Froala Editor
