Jose Encarnacion Peña facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jose Encarnacion Peña
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|---|---|
| Born |
Soqween
1902 San Ildefonso Pueblo, New Mexico, U.S.
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| Died | 1979 |
| Other names | Encarnacion Peña, So Kwa Wi, So Kwa A Weh |
| Education | Santa Fe Indian School |
| Known for | Painting |
| Spouse(s) | Patricia Peña |
Jose Encarnacion Peña (1902–1979) was a talented Native American painter. He was from the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. People also knew him as Encarnacion Peña or by his Native American name, Soqween. He was famous for his beautiful watercolor paintings. These paintings often showed Pueblo ceremonies and daily life. Jose Peña was a key artist in the early "San Ildefonso school" and later in the "Santa Fe Studio Style" art movements.
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A Look at Jose Peña's Life
Jose Encarnacion Peña was born in 1902. His birthplace was the San Ildefonso Pueblo in New Mexico. His Native American name, Soqween, means "Frost on the Mountain." His aunt was the famous potter, Maria Martinez. This shows that art was important in his family.
Early Art and Education
In the 1920s, Jose Peña was already painting. He worked in the San Ildefonso Pueblo. He painted alongside many other artists from the early San Ildefonso school. This group of artists helped create a special style of Native American art.
In the early 1930s, Peña went to the Santa Fe Indian School. There, he studied painting with Dorothy Dunn. She taught at a special art program called "The Studio." This program helped many young Native American artists develop their skills.
Showing His Art to the World
Jose Peña's artwork was shown in many places. His paintings were displayed in museums and galleries across the United States. Some of these places included the Riverside Museum in New York City. His art was also shown at the Renaissance Society in Chicago.
He even won awards for his painting. In 1959, he won first place at the Santa Fe Indian Market. This showed how much people appreciated his unique style.
Where You Can See His Work
Today, you can find Jose Peña's paintings in many public museum collections. His art is kept in important places like the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. You can also see his work at the Denver Art Museum and the Cleveland Museum of Art. The Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian also has his paintings. This means his art is preserved for many people to enjoy.
Family and Influence
Jose Peña was married to Patricia Peña. She was an artist too, known for making dolls. Jose Peña also helped other artists. He was a mentor to Amado Maurilio Peña, Jr., who was born in 1943. Jose Peña's influence helped shape the art of future generations.
