Opening a window into the rich history, culture and landscapes of the Southwest, the Briscoe Western Art Museum is proud to host “Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West,” an exhibition that reveals the breadth of narrative art produced in the Southwest from the early twentieth century to today.
The exhibition features more than 70 remarkable works curated from the prestigious collections of the New Mexico Museum of Art, the Museum of Indian Arts & Culture, the Briscoe and private lenders. “Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West” will be on view October 4 through January 19, 2025, and is included with museum admission.
A narrative work of art is one that tells a story of a particular moment, or moments, in time. Narratives are often used to illustrate historical events, legends, traditions, myths, fables and religious ceremonies. The exhibition explores the many ways artists have told stories about the Southwest in their art including religious, migratory, historical and rural subjects.
“Narrative art tells a story. It can illustrate historic events or bring the imagination to life. The traditions of storytelling in the Southwest go back to ancient times and the Indigenous populations of the region,” explains Liz Jackson, President and CEO of the Briscoe Western Art Museum. “From the simple carved forms of Helen Cordero to the narrative realism of Martin Grelle and Navajo artist Ed Natiya, the exhibition celebrates the intricate tapestry of the American Southwest’s artistic heritage. We’re proud to share these works and the stories they tell.”
The exhibition explores the various ways artists have told stories about the Southwest in their work, including illustrations of historic events such as Diego Romero’s image of the Pueblo Revolt, and paintings of local religious ceremonies such as William Penhallow Henderson’s “Holy Week in New Mexico” and ruminations on spiritual traditions as in Partocinio Barela’s “Last Supper,” as well as reflections on modern art and iconic images of the West inspired by pop culture, including Andy Warhol’s “Geronimo” and Billy Schenck’s “Cliff.”
The range of artists and the stylistic variation represented in “Storytellers: Narrative Art and the West” offer a variety of lenses, allowing audiences to engage with the region’s complex and evolving history and culture. Storytellers showcases the talents of renowned artists like Fritz Scholder, Gerald Cassidy, Alan Houser and Henry Balink, who bring diverse perspectives on cowboy, Native, and Spanish cultures, alongside works by Frederic Remington, Andy Warhol, Logan Maxwell Hagege, Martin Grelle and Mark Maggiori.
For more information, please visit the museum website at briscoemuseum.org.
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