Ted Villa

For a number of years I have been using Native American artifacts as the subject matter for my watercolors. When I first started in 1979, it was more or less a depiction of the object with contemporary cartographic symbols replacing the beadwork patterns. I was addressing environmental issues by tying an object whose makers were in tune with their environment and uurselves who are tuned to industry. I was trying to achieve a balance with the two. However, all my compositions came out asymmetrical.

These images progressed to a more animated rendition of the clothing worn by indigenous people. There was more movement implied: for example, the fringe on the shirts flying around and the position of the “wearer” arrested while shifting from one position to another.

My imagery then took on another twist in response to a European vacation. I toured the great art museums of southern Europe to view all the masterpieces I had studied while at the university. Inspired by these historical pieces I started to combine the “David”, the “Venus de Milo” and other classical pieces with Native American clothing. This was my way of acknowledging that art is transcultural and universal. There are outstanding examples of art in every time period and from every culture. All are equally valid.

-Ted Villa