Darren Vigil Gray facts for kids

Darren Vigil Gray is a talented artist and musician from the Jicarilla Apache tribe. He creates amazing paintings inspired by his Native American background. He also gets ideas from a style of art called abstract expressionism, like the famous artist Jackson Pollock.

Growing Up and Finding His Path

Darren Vigil Gray was born in Dulce, New Mexico. His father was a rodeo cowboy and musician who played Western guitar. His mother studied opera and encouraged Darren to learn piano and drums. These experiences showed Darren that "music and art are connected."

When he was a teenager, Darren wanted to explore the world and find his own way. He once saw a UFO, which made him feel that "anything is possible." This experience encouraged him to become an artist.

During summers, he often went to pow-wows with his cousin. There, he learned traditional dances and explored his Native heritage. He also spent time with his artist relatives, Francis and Nossman Vigil. They showed him new ways to think about art.

Darren always wanted to be a free artist. He didn't want to be put "in a box" by being called only a "Native artist." He just wanted to create what he felt was right.

He believes his ideas come from many places. These include his family roots, memories of Apache traditions, and the beautiful landscapes of the Southwest. His wife and his travels also inspire him. Even though he sometimes lives away from his community, he is very "proud" of his Native background. He often goes back to visit his homeland.

Darren also says his daughters play a big part in his art. He thinks children's art is the "purest" because it comes from the heart. He believes it's important to always try new things in his art. He likes to experiment and let his art come to life in unexpected ways.

Family Life

Darren is married to Jill Momaday. She is the daughter of Kiowa writer N. Scott Momaday. They have two daughters together. Darren became a husband and father at a young age, which brought him many responsibilities.

They live near Santa Fe, New Mexico, where Darren went to art school. Even though he moved from the reservation, he often goes back to connect with his roots.

Education and Art School

After some changes in his family, Darren got permission to go to school away from his reservation. He went to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe. This is a special college for Native American students.

At IAIA, he studied art from 1975 to 1977. He learned from teachers like Otellie Loloma. Before IAIA, Darren had never been asked to create art. But there, he discovered a deep love for it. This love "shaped his whole perspective."

He also saw the work of famous artists like Fritz Scholder and T.C. Cannon. T.C. Cannon became Darren's mentor. Darren says his early paintings looked a lot like Cannon's.

Later, he transferred to The College of Santa Fe in 1978. He also attended The University of New Mexico from 1985 to 1986. Darren says that all the people he met during his education helped his art become what it is today.

Amazing Artworks

Darren Vigil Gray creates unique paintings that often show his connection to his land and heritage.

Muse On

(2018) This painting is about a special place that has been in Darren's mind since he was a child. He keeps adding to it until he feels it truly shows how the land used to be. This piece shows where his people, the Jicarilla Apache, once lived. He feels a strong connection to this land and expresses it in his art.

Expanding Horizons

(2018) This painting is about how Darren sees landscapes. It shows his personal way of painting, which is inspired by abstract expressionism and his inner feelings. He uses many abstract ideas to express his thoughts. Darren believes his view of the land can be seen in his work, no matter where he is.

High Desert Drifter

(2018) This painting, along with others, brings life to his art. It mixes cultural ideas with the vastness of the desert. It shows ancient landscapes and their natural shapes. His early experiences with the land inspired these beautiful paintings.

Abiquiu Sunrise

This painting is a great example of Darren's most common painting style. It is an abstract expressionist piece painted on canvas. It shows landscapes from Northern New Mexico and figures with their own stories. This painting was influenced by abstract artists like Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, and T.C. Cannon. Darren believes this painting needs to be experienced to be understood, not just looked at.

Art Shows and Exhibitions

Darren Vigil Gray's art has been shown in many places. He has had both solo shows (just his art) and group shows (with other artists).

Solo Exhibitions

• (1989) "Five Contemporary Native American Artists," The Gibbs Museum, Charleston, South Carolina
• (1995) "Campsite," Peyton-Wright Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (1995) "The Walk," Friesen Gallery, Seattle, Washington
• (2002) "Common Ground," Tucson Museum of Art, Tucson, Arizona
• (2002) "Counterclockwise/20 year Retrospective," Wheelwright Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2003) "We’re Still Here With the Mountains," The Hubbard Museum of the American West, Ruidoso, New Mexico
• (2011) "Motherland of Basketmakers #16," Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona
• (2018) "Expanding Horizons," Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "Bring of Light of Day," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "The Screech of Birds," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "The Sentinel," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "Ancient AAbiquiu #3," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "High Dessert Drifter," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "Raise the Dust," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2018) "Rodeo Queen," Gerald Peters Contemporary, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Group Exhibitions

• (1981) Turtle Museum Premier Art Show, Niagara Falls, New York
• (1979) Museum of the American Indian, Heye Foundation, New York, New York
• (1978–79) Annual Indian Market Show, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (1986) Politics Now Exhibit, Reinventing Politics Symposium, Telluride, Colorado
• (1990) The Art of the West Invitational, Eiteljorg Museum, Indianapolis, Indiana
• (1993) Lollapalooza Tour, Native American Mural Project, Various U.S. cities
• (1996) Charlie Russell Art Auction, Great Falls, Montana
• (1997) The IAIA Experience, Institute of American Indian Arts Museum, Santa Fe, New Mexico
• (2006) "Instincts Keep Me Running Like A Deer," LewAllen Contemporary, Santa Fe, NM

Where His Art Can Be Seen

Darren Vigil Gray's artworks are part of many important collections:

• Museum of Contemporary Native Arts, Santa Fe N.M
• Wheelwright Museum- Santa Fe, N.M
• National Museum of American Arts, Washington, DC
• IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts
• Heard Museum, Phoenix Arizona
• Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado

Awards and Recognition

• Mayor's (of Santa Fe) Awards for Excellence in the Arts 2010