Artist: KC Wong
American Indian functions as an unembellished snapshot of a vast culture; interweaving colors play a large part in exposing elements within the oil painting’s intricacies. Muted shades lift decorative feathered headdresses to brightened heights. Floral white, camel brown, and metallic gray fold onto one another to express a unique style. The clothes of the attire mix to show a rainbow effect. There is a fusing pattern between buttercup yellow, crimson red, sunrise orange, emerald green, and oceanic blue on the individuals. Primary and secondary colors are all at work here, letting this piece sing with a natural melody. Behind the five figures is the equally vivid lush grass, red rock, and bluish-gray road; a sprawling world occupied by life but open and free.
There’s an honesty to American Indian. It is accurate in its subjects and the emotions gained from seeing such culture on display. Intimacy is elevated through the act of viewing, as though one were engaging with these traditional cultural elements firsthand. The seeping colors and powerfully historic attire breathes liveliness and respect.
