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Watercarrier

Allan Houser, 1986 (Santa Fe, New Mexico)

Bronze, 89 x 32 x 14 in.

“He was a native artist who refused to be limited by traditional things, was interested in the history of modern art, was interested in the art of the American West. He determined very much to be his own man as an artist.”
– Allan Houser’s son, Phillip Haozous

Carrying, storing and distributing water is one of the most essential human activities. It is also a role that is often fulfilled by women. Allan Houser created some of his most renowned sculptures around the theme of water carriers.

In this piece, Allan Houser abstracts the role of water carrier, giving it a cross-cultural universality.

Alan and Harriet chose to place this piece by Alnoba’s Winkley Brook to remind visitors about the Indigenous history of the land and the essential, rarely celebrated role of women.

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.