Tom Russell (American, b. 1950). "Hopi Snake Dancers" acrylic on canvas, 2018. Initialed "TR" on lower right. Signature, title, and date on verso. A striking painting depicting two Hopi Snake Dancers by world-renowned artist and singer-songwriter Tom Russell. Russell presents each dancer holding a snake and wearing a traditional headdress and kilt that is embellished with a zigzag pattern symbolizing the snake. Russell's signature style - a boldly colorful, expressive, and Fauvist-inspired approach - befits the striking beauty of the Snake Dancers. Size of painting: 15.5" L x 19.5" W (39.4 cm x 49.5 cm) Size of frame: 16.25" L x 20.25" W (41.3 cm x 51.4 cm)

According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, "The Hopi of northeastern Arizona are the only community to perform the Snake Dance. It is one of the most widely known ceremonies of the Pueblo peoples because during one part of the dance, each performer carries a live snake in his mouth. The snake is seen as a messenger to the underworld who can help assure abundant water and rainfall for crops."

In addition to creating mesmerizing paintings, Tom Russell is a singer-songwriter who has written songs recorded by Johnny Cash, KD Lang, Iris Dement, Nancy Griffith, Ramblin Jack Elliott, and more.

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#174205

Initialed "TR" on lower right. Signature, title, and date on verso. Fitted with suspension wire and ready to display.