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Prayer

Allan Houser, 1994 (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Bronze, Edition of 8, 80 x 19 x 44 1/2 in.

“Alan and I have always been inspired by the wisdom and teaching of indigenous peoples around the world. We have learned much from how they respect, honor and connect with the land and from their belief that we are indeed caretakers for generations to come.

During a trip years ago to New Mexico, we were drawn to the work of Allan Houser. We went to his gallery and sculpture garden outside of Santa Fe and immediately fell in love with his work. We asked if we could come back at night to see them lit against the deep southwestern sky. It was breathtaking. We chose Prayer.”
–Harriet Lewis

Allan’s family’s story tells a painful chapter in our country’s history, and his work honors his people’s strength and remarkable endurance. His family, relatives of Geronimo, were taken in cattle cars and imprisoned in the U.S. Allan was born in 1914, the first of his siblings to be born out of captivity. He held many jobs and teaching positions before being asked to help set up the Institute for American Indian Artists in Santa Fe. He headed its first Sculpture Department.

About the Artist

Allan Houser (Haozous) was the first Indigenous American awarded the National Medal of Arts. His father was a relative of Geronimo, and his family was imprisoned along with other Apache resistance fighters in St. Augustine, Florida for twenty years. Alan was the first child in his family to be born outside captivity.

Learn more about Allan Houser’s remarkable story through this downloadable PDF: Allan Houser – Born in Captivity

This piece is part of the collection at Alnoba. See the full collection or check our upcoming tour schedule.