WHAT: 
“LIVING ICONS” 
New paintings by BUNKY ECHO-HAWK

WHERE: GARY FARMER GALLERY OF CONTEMPORARY ART
131 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe NM 87501 
505.988.1171

WHEN:  SATURDAY,
MARCH 3 –APRIL 8 
OPENING ARTIST RECEPTION—SATURDAY, MARCH 3, 5 to 8PM*

PLUS…
AFTER PARTY: GARY FARMER AND THE TROUBLEMAKERS with SPECIAL GUESTS

ALSO FEATURING…

WHAT:  NOCONA BURGESS
           “NEW BEGINNINGS”
            NEW Abstract Paintings by
            NOCONA BURGESS
As we now represent NOCONA’S abstract work in SANTA FE

WHAT:  JANICE BLACK ELK 
            Award winning BEADWORK

WHAT:  ROBERT BISBO
            “THE DANCE” ongoing in the
            downstairs gallery

*All four artists will be present at the opening

“The Indian Wars never ended.” says Pawnee/Yakama artist Bunky Echo-Hawk. “The battlefield is just more abstract now and sprawls through every facet of our life. We are still fighting to retain our basic human rights, keep our land, restore our languages and religions, and maintain our identity. Our ancestors may have lost the battle against colonization, but we continue to fight against its effects.”

In “Living ICONS,” Echo-Hawk’s latest series of paintings, he illustrates some of Native America’s living leaders, artists, and innovators. Echo-Hawk reasons that, in general, people conjure up names of leaders who lived 150 years ago when asked to name notable Native Americans. Coincidentally, 150 years ago, killing Indians was public policy. “It’s damaging that the most accepted contemporary view of Native Americans is from this era, and speaks volumes about the American collective mentality.”

“Further, I’ve noticed that a lot of Native people today subscribe to that view. They will either embrace our ancestral war heroes as role models, or completely embrace the mainstream American culture. The minimal regard for our leaders today also comes with heavy criticism; often, if one becomes successful, they are labeled as ‘sell-outs.’”

In his series of portraits, Echo-Hawk, who exhibits nationally and internationally, chose people he admires for their leadership, innovation, success, and their role in combating colonialism in their own ways. He aims to shift the mirror to reflect Native American society and culture in a contemporary light. “Perhaps, 150 years from now, these individuals will be mentioned as notable heroes. In the meantime, they will occupy some canvas and continue the good fight.”

“Living icons are people popular in our Indian sub-culture. I am proud to present the people I admire in living iconic color,” says Gallery owner Gary Farmer. “Bunky is a popular artist among his peers. In some circles he is leading the wave of the young, ambitious, hardest working artists in the contemporary realm. His work represents the old style leadership that is relentless, informed and ready to act. Bunky is also a multi-dimensional artist hitting us with his poetry and dance music…Come out for an entertaining and informed evening of gut wrenching yet mind tingling performance.”

Thank You,
Gary Farmer and Deborah Lamal

Gary Farmer Gallery of Contemporary Art
131 West San Francisco Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
T 505.988.1171 F 988.7573
info@garyfarmergallery.com
www.garyfarmergallery.com