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Tony Abeyta (Navajo, b. 1965). "Morning Star People" mixed media on paper, n.d. Signed on lower right. "Morning Star People" is a captivating mixed media composition by Navajo artist Tony Abeyta. The Navajo associate the morning star with their predecessors, linking the star's symbolism to spirits, elders, and ancestors. Abeyta presents a central star with expressive visages that feature lozenge-shaped eyes, straight noses, and circular mouths, all crowned by magnificent feathered headdresses, hovering at each point of the star, as if watching over their people. In addition, Abeyta rendered the heads and star in bas relief, creating a tactile effect. Crescent moons float between the ancestral heads, and cloudlike forms connect the visages. Finally, a gorgeous background of soft periwinkle complementing the bold shades of turquoise and chocolate as well as a decorative border of rhythmic slate grey gestural marks further imbue the piece with a mesmerizing quality. All is set behind glass in an attractive custom frame. Size: 34.375" L x 29.125" W (87.3 cm x 74 cm) Size: 42.25" L x 36.75" W (107.3 cm x 93.3 cm)

Artist Biography: "Tony Abeyta is a Dine (Navajo) contemporary artist working in mixed media paintings. A graduate of New York University with an honorary doctorate from the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, Tony was the 2012 recipient of the New Mexico Governor's Excellence in the Arts award, and recognized as a Native treasure by the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture.

The youngest of three children, he was born into a distinguished family of Dine artists that includes his late sisters, Pablita and Elizabeth, and his late parents, Narciso and Sylvia Shipley Abeyta. Together, his relatives have excelled in painting, pottery, weaving, and silversmithing. Tony, an artist of international acclaim, works in mediums that include charcoal, oil, acrylic, and silversmithing.

Tony currently works in both Santa Fe, NM and Berkeley, CA. Tony's work is included in the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian, Boston Fine Arts Museum, Denver Art Museum, Autry Museum in Los Angeles, CA, as well as in many other public & private collections." (Tony Abeyta website)

Provenance: private Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA collection; ex-Hugh K. Terrell estate, representative Priscilla T. Bisher

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#175418

Signed by the artist on lower right. Mounted under glass in an attractive custom frame. Artwork has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be excellent overall. Frame is museum quality and also excellent save one tiny trace of sticker residue at upper right. Fit with suspension wire and ready to display. A gallery label on the verso lists "Morning Star People" for $4500.