Zane Bennett Contemporary Art

Zane Bennett Contemporary Art is pleased to present an exhibition of Pueblo artist, Virgil Ortiz’s clay sculpture and photographs: Venutian Soldiers, and an exhibition of paintings by Navajo artist, David Johns: Abstracted Landscapes. Both artists are featured at Zane Bennett Contemporary starting Thursday, August 16. This exhibition continues through September 20th with a public reception on Thursday, August 16 at the gallery, 435 South Guadalupe Street, from 5:00‐7:00 pm. The artists and several of the models for Ortiz’ figures will be present to sign posters and/or photographs.

David Johns

David Johns was born near Seba Dalkai, part of the vast Diné (Navajo) territory in Northern Arizona and New Mexico. After receiving his BFA from Northern Arizona University in painting and printmaking, David received an Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from Northern Arizona University at Flagstaff, AZ. As a child David spent time herding sheep with his grandmother, who passed on the teachings of the Diné People. She taught him how to respect and care for the land, plants and animals as well as the stories and legends of the Diné Way. He learned that all things in the world have male and female counterparts and that life exists because of this delicate balance. David learned to live according to the Diné Way and to strive for balance, beauty and harmony in all aspects of life.

The symmetry of David’s paintings reflects this harmony and balance; the colors and textures of the paintings reflect the beauty of his homeland. His portraits express the vitality of the Diné people, and he sees his artistic gift as coming from beyond himself to be shared with everyone. His abstract paintings express his sense of the world by capturing life’s subtle phenomena such as the sunlight at different times of the day or the emotions brought by each of the four seasons.

In 1988 David Johns accepted a transformative commission to paint the 36 foot diameter dome of the Concord Place building of Case Construction Company in Phoenix. The dome rises 50 feet above the floor. This mural depicts the story of David’s life and heritage written in the mountains, thunderclouds, wind and Navajo symbolism. The culmination of a three year project, the mural is a tribute to all Indian people and a testimony to David’s gift as an artist.

“David is a seer, and he comes very honestly by that gift. In his remarkable artwork, he enables us to see as well. His gift becomes our gift. Here is the essential spirit of creations.” – Dr. N. Scott Momaday, a noted Kiowa/Cherokee painter, poet and Pulitzer Prize winning author