Awa Tsireh facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Awa Tsireh
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Photo postcard of Awa Tsireh in Plains Indian attire, ca 1930s, at Manitou, Colorado.
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| Born |
Alfonso Roybal, Cattail Bird
February 1, 1898 |
| Died | March 30, 1955 (aged 57) |
| Known for | Painting, Metalwork |
| Movement | San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group |
| Awards | Ordre des Palmes Académiques, 1954 |
| Patron(s) | Edgar Lee Hewett, Alice Corbin |
Awa Tsireh (born February 1, 1898 – died March 30, 1955) was a talented artist. He was also known as Alfonso Roybal and Cattail Bird. Awa Tsireh was from the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. He was famous for his paintings and metalwork.
He was part of an art group called the San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group. His amazing artwork is now kept in many museums. One of these is the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Contents
Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Awa Tsireh was born into a family of artists. His parents were Alfonsita Martinez and Juan Estaba Roybal. His mother was a potter. His uncle, Cresencio Martinez, was also a potter.
Many of his family members became artists. His nephew, José Disiderio Roybal, became a painter. His sisters, Josefa Roybal and Santana Roybal Martinez, were also artists.
Awa Tsireh was one of the first painters from San Ildefonso Pueblo. He finished grade school. But he learned most of his art skills from his culture. He also had informal training. He was one of the students taught by Elizabeth Willis DeHuff. She taught art from her home.
In 1917, an American artist named William Penhallow Henderson painted Awa Tsireh's portrait. This painting is now at the New Mexico Museum of Art. William's wife, Alice Corbin Henderson, also supported Awa Tsireh's art.
Artistic Work and Support
Awa Tsireh received help from Dr. Edgar Lee Hewett. Dr. Hewett gave him a studio space. This was in the Palace of the Governors. Awa Tsireh's art is now in many museum collections. These include the Smithsonian American Art Museum.
Metalwork Creations
It is not clear when Awa Tsireh learned to work with silver. But by 1931, newspapers wrote about him. They called him a painter, silversmith, and dancer. Around 1930, he started working in Colorado. He spent summers at the Garden of the Gods Trading Post. He worked there into the 1940s.
His sister, Santana Martinez, remembered his work. She said he would go to Colorado Springs. There he would create paintings and silverwork. He made art using silver, copper, and aluminum.
Awards and Special Honors
Awa Tsireh received several important awards for his art.
- 1931–1933 – He was part of the Exposition of Indian Tribal Arts (EITA). This was supported by the College Art Association.
- He was recognized by SWAIA. This is the Southwestern Association on Indian Affairs in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
- He also received honors from AIW. This was American Indian Week in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- 1954 – He received the Palmes d' Academiques. This was a special award from the French Government.
Images for kids
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Photo postcard of Awa Tsireh in Plains Indian attire, ca 1930s, at Manitou, Colorado.
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"Eagle with Snake", circa 1927. This painting was in the collection of William and Alice Corbin Henderson. The artist's access to the Hendersons' art books may have influenced this and other of his works.
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Four silver pins made by Awa Tsireh in the 1930s while he was working at Garden of the Gods Trading Post.
