Fritz Scholder
Fritz Scholder was a notable American painter recognized for his innovative approaches to Native American themes and identity. He began his artistic journey at the young age of thirteen and later earned both a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Fine Arts degree, influenced by prominent artists like Oscar Howe and Georgia O'Keeffe. Scholder taught at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe from 1964 to 1969, where he developed his influential "Indian series" in 1967. This series challenged traditional portrayals of Native Americans through a blend of Postimpressionist, expressionist, and pop art styles, featuring subjects like "monster Indians" and contemporary Indigenous figures. His work sought to redefine the identity of Indigenous artists, emphasizing that he was an artist first, rather than solely an "Indian artist." After concluding his Indian series in 1980, Scholder shifted his focus to shamanistic figurative paintings, often depicting animals and female nudes. His prolific output and distinctive color usage have garnered international recognition, and his legacy is further enhanced by several documentary films exploring his life and work.
Fritz Scholder
- Born: October 6, 1937
- Birthplace: Brekenridge, Minnesota
Category: Painter, sculptor
Tribal affiliation: Luiseño
Significance: Scholder broke the bounds of traditionalist Indian painting with his brightly colored portraits of contemporary Indians
Fritz Scholder began painting at age thirteen. He was graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from Sacramento State University in 1960, and he earned a Masters of Fine Arts degree from the University of Arizona in 1964. He was encouraged to pursue painting by Sioux artist Oscar Howe and by pop art painter Wayer Thiebaud and has been strongly influenced by European artists and styles, particularly Francis Bacon and Edvard Munch, as well as by American artist Georgia O’Keeffe.
Scholder was hired to teach at the Institute of American Indian Art in Santa Fe in 1964, which he did until 1969. In 1967, he launched his famous “Indian series,” with groups of pictures of monster Indians, Indians and horses, Dartmouth portraits, American portraits, contemporary Indians in Gallup, and Indian postcards. With these paintings, he began what one critic called the postmodern interrogation of the historically circumscribed image of the Indian, using Postimpressionist, expressionist, and pop art styles. The series was concluded in 1980, whereupon he vowed never to paint another Indian. In the 1990’s, his figurative paintings became shamanistic, often featuring animals and female nudes. A prolific painter and excellent colorist, Scholder has sought acceptance as an artist who happens to be Indian rather than as an “Indian artist.” His work has been shown in numerous countries and has been the subject of three documentary films.