John Nieto
John Nieto | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1936 |
| Died | 2018 (aged 81–82) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | Southern Methodist University (BFA) |
| Known for | painting |
| Website | nietofineart |
John Nieto (1936–2018) was an American painter who concentrated on Native American themes and wildlife from the Western United States.[1] He was a longtime resident of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Biography
[edit]John Wesley Nieto was born in Denver, Colorado in 1936. He was the third oldest of 14 children born to Natalia Venegas Nieto and Simon Nieto. His father worked for the U.S. Office of Censorship during World War II and later became a Methodist minister.[2][3] Nieto's work reflects his Mexican-American ancestry. He earned a BFA degree from Southern Methodist University in University Park, Texas, in 1959.[4]
Identity
[edit]John Nieto claimed to have been of Mescalero Apache descent; however, as art historian Julie R. Sasse wrote: "The Mescalero Apache Tribe took the matter under consideration and after a tribal vote, declared unconditionally that Nieto was not a tribal member and was not known to have any Mescalero relatives."[5] Because Nieto was not an enrolled tribal member, he could no longer claim to be a Native American artist after the passage of the 1990 Indian Arts and Crafts Act.[6] After "protests by the members of the Native-American community," Nieto changed his claims of being a Mescalero Apache artist to having "mixed Indian and Spanish blood"[7] or "Hispanic and American Indian ancestry."[8][9]
Work and recognition
[edit]Nieto presented his painting “Delegate to the White House” to President Reagan in the Oval Office of the White House. which hung during the President’s term in office and later included in the presidential library.[4]
In 2002 his painting Buffalo Dancer was installed in the Albuquerque International Sunport’s Great Hall.[1]
In 1994 Nieto received the New Mexico Governor's Award for Achievement in the Arts.[10] He served on the Advisory Boards for both the Wheelwright Museum and the Native American Preparatory School.[1]
Nieto is represented in the New Mexico Museum of Fine Arts in Santa Fe.[11]
Public collections
[edit]- New Mexico Museum of Fine Art Santa Fe, NM
- Permanent collection, Marine Corp Museum Washington, DC
- Heard Museum Phoenix, AZ
- Capital Art Foundation Santa Fe, NM
References
[edit]- ^ a b c Nieto, John, 1936- (2009). John Nieto: forces of color & spirit. McGarry, Susan Hallsten, Ventana Fine Art (1st ed.). Albuquerque, N.M.: Fresco Fine Art Publications. ISBN 978-1-934491-15-7. OCLC 456467098.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ Houghton, Howard. "Artist was known for colorful depictions of people, animals native to North America". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ National Art Museum and Gallery Guide. Art Now, Incorporated. 1985.
- ^ a b "SMU Remembers John W. Nieto '59 - SMU". www.smu.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ Sasse, Julie R. "A Piece of the Indian Pie: Contemporary Native American Art and the Authenticity Controversy". Academia. Arizona State University. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Sublette, Mark. "John Nieto documentary reveals the man behind the paintings". Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
- ^ Grant, Daniel (2004). The Fine Artist's Career Guide: Making Money in the Arts and Beyond. New York: Allworth Press. ISBN 9781621531234.
- ^ "John Nieto biography". Altamira Fine Art. Retrieved 2020-03-22.
- ^ National Art Museum and Gallery Guide. Art Now, Incorporated. 1985.
- ^ The American Psychologist. American Psychological Association. 2002. p. 1135.
- ^ Writer, Kathaleen Roberts | Journal Staff. "Painting was his life". www.abqjournal.com. Retrieved 2020-03-25.
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