R. C. Gorman (1931-2005)
R.C. Gorman descended from generations of Navajo craftsmen. After several years in the US Navy, his education, specifically a year at the Mexico City College, that fixed his desire to be an artist. From the 1970s, as his reputation spread throughout the USA and abroad. He is arguably the first Native American artist to be internationally recognized as a major American artist. Mr. Gorman was best known for his paintings, sculptures and lithographs depicting American Indian women -- typically corpulent, barefoot and wrapped in shawls or blankets. On a trip to Mexico, Gorman first saw the murals of Guadalajara depicting the history of the Mexican people. "Here were these great Mexican artists painting women grinding corn and working in the fields," he told The Austin American-Statesman in 1994. "I thought, 'This is just like my people.' Instead of trying to paint European, I started painting like a Mexican, I guess, except that I was using Navajos for my subject matter." In Mexico City, Gorman saw the works of Diego Rivera and other artists. According to Gorman, "Rivera went to Europe to discover himself. I went to Mexico and discovered Rivera and myself."
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