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Warm Springs Apache Man

Allan Houser, 1991 (New Mexico, 1914-1994)

Bronze, edition of 6

“Art was my father’s means of communicating. That was the tool he chose, and he made beautiful art.”
–Bob Haozous

Allan Houser was born in Oklahoma after his family, members of the Chiracahua Apache, had been held in captivity for 27 years. Alan’s father, Sam Haozous, was a Warm Springs Apache, as was his first cousin, Geronimo.

This piece plays tribute to Houser’s Apache heritage, casting an Indigenous face in monumental scale like the busts of classical heroes.

Houser grew up in rural Oklahoma with little access to art. His work explores Native American subjects and themes while using the styles of Western modernism. He was a respected and influential teacher for years of his life.

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.