Louie Ewing
(1908 - 1983)
Buffalo by Abel Sanchez [Oqwa Pi]
serigraph, edition of 500
From "Masterpieces of Primitive American Art"
originally issued in a portfolio cover (not present here) on which is a description by Margretta Stewart Dietrich, as follows:
"Even among the Pueblo Indians of New Mexico, who are farmers rather than hunters, the buffalo was of supreme importance and by tradition is so to this day. Old men in the upper Rio Grande pueblos still repeat the stories, told them by their fathers, of the yearly buffalo hunts. Every autumn, parties left the Pueblo villages for the great Plains, not to return until Christmas. A day in advance of the homecoming, a runner reached the pueblo to tell the women to prepare the celebration. An old man of the village kept count of the days of absence by making marks on a viga (house beam).
Each man of the hunting-party had his particular duty; only designated hunters might kill the great beasts, while the skinners cared for the valuable hides and others saw to the drying of the meat to bring home. Rubbing the faces of the horses with the blood of a slain animal was believed to make them unafraid of the smell of the buffalo. Only bows and arrows or spears, never guns, were used by the Pueblos in buffalo hunting.
Oqwa Pi, better known by his White friends as Abel Sanchez, is a San Ildefonso Indian and at one time was Governor of the pueblo. He has never had any art instruction; he paints for pleasure but supports his family by farming. No doubt he has heard descriptions of buffalo all his life, but it is probable that he had never seen one alive.”
10 1/2 x 13 1/2 in. (26.67 x 34.29 cm.)
Private Collection, New Mexico

The print is in overall good condition. There is a slight wrinkle measuring 1 1/4" along lower edge at center. Print is mounted to black foam core and shrink-wrapped.

The condition reports for the lots offered by Santa Fe Art Auction (SFAA) are provided as a courtesy and convenience for potential buyers. The reports are not intended to nor do they substitute for physical examination by a buyer or the buyer's advisors. The condition reports are prepared by SFAA staff members who are not art conservators or restorers, nor do they possess the qualifications needed for comprehensive evaluation. Each condition report is an opinion of the staff member and should not be treated as a statement of fact. The absence of a condition report does not imply anything as to the condition of a particular lot. Buyers are reminded that the limited warranties are set forth in the Terms and Conditions of Sale and do not extend to condition. Each lot is sold as-is.