Description:
Watercolor on paper. Signed l.r.: Wo Peen, Stamped u.r.: PLANCHE 39.
From: American Indian Painters, Vol. 2, p. 5: Born in 1907, Wo Peen could look forward to a splendid career, "But when I was just about at the top, I lost my right arm, and was set back. I have trained myself to paint with my left hand and have won several prizes at the Gallup Ceremonials." With quiet courage, Wo Peen has overcome his heartbreaking handicap. But the last decade has heaped responsibility and burdens that leave the painter little time or energy for his art work. There were the war years when those, like Wo Peen, who could not enter the service, carried on with their work and that of the young men gone to fight. For the second time Wo Peen is governor of his pueblo, an honor he finds very demanding. Wo Peen's work has been exhibited all over the United States, from New York to Los Angeles, the Chicago World's Fair, the Santa Fe Museum, and other galleries. He made a mural painting for the YWCA building at Springfield, Mass. When in his early twenties and remarkably handsome, Wo Peen served as a model for the statue "The Dreamer" by Philip S. Sears. He posed wearing the magnificent headgear of the Plains tribes, the war bonnet, showing that even the peaceful Pueblos look well in this martial garment. For some years Wo Peen toured the country in a repertoire of Indian songs and dances. His "Buffalo Dancer" represents his earlier manner. (Collection, University of Oklahoma) Map references: San Ildefonso Pueblo (N.M.)