Bold color, painterly brushstrokes and vivid imagery punctuate the artwork of the late John Nieto (1936-2018). The artist’s unmistakable style has made its way to exhibitions, galleries and events around the world, from Paris to Tokyo to his roots in New Mexico. He even met with President Reagan in the Oval Office to present him with the painting Delegate to the White House in the early 1980s.
This fall, Altamira Fine Art in Scottsdale, Arizona, is hosting the exhibition John Nieto: Legend of the American Westin honor of Nieto’s dynamic career.
Pueblo Girl, 1984, acrylic on canvas, 84 x 68 in.“John Nieto’s distinctive style and use of bright, expressive colors and varied topics made his voice stand out as a way to communicate the experience of the American West,” says Jason Williams, owner of Altamira Fine Art. “His mixed heritage and connection to the landscape, both physically and spiritually, informed his artistic choices and bold aesthetic in a way that resonated with collectors for decades and now well after his passing in 2018. John Nieto truly is an American icon.”
Inter-Tribal Fancy Dancer, 1991, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 48 in.
Sand Painter, 1991, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60 in.
A highlight in the upcoming show is Nieto’s acrylic painting Hopi Drummer, depicting a Hopi man with a large drum. The piece feels decidedly Southwestern, with chiseled plateaus and other geological formations in the backdrop. And the striking, bright blues in Sand Painter are an excellent example of Nieto’s characteristic use of color.
“Both of these are fabulous paintings highlighting traditional Native culture in a very non-traditional way—a signature of Nieto’s works across topics,” says Williams. “Clean lines and his use of bright, bold colors bring life, movement and the subject’s story to life for the viewer. There is so much space left for our imagination, yet we get to taste life through the artist’s lens in a very real way at the same time.”
Hopi Drummer, 2010, acrylic on canvas, 48 x 60 in.
John Nieto: Legend of the American West runs from November 5 to 16. An opening reception will be held at the gallery on Thursday, November 7, from 7 to 9 p.m. —
Altamira Fine Art 7038 E. Main Street » Scottsdale, AZ 85251 » (480) 949-1256 » www.altamiraart.com
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