The BBAC displays work of Indigenous artist Stanley Natchez

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Stanley Natchez is a Santa Fe, New Mexico-based Indigenous artist who is currently featured at the Birmingham Bloomfield Art Center. The exhibit titled “Indian Without Reservation” opened March 10 and will be displayed until April 20.

Natchez has been painting professionally for 35 years, and his work has been shown throughout the world in major cities such as Paris, Berlin and London.

“To me, painting is like breathing. The day I can’t paint anymore is the day I stop breathing,” Natchez said.

Natchez combines the modern and the traditional in his innovative and creative paintings. His work is inspired by pop artists such as Andy Warhol, Jasper Johns and T.C. Cannon. His BBAC mixed media exhibit includes 27 pieces.

“He mixes so many different, not only materials, but eras as well,” BBAC President and CEO Annie VanGelderen said. “He is a true artist, and we are very fortunate to have him here.”

He said that when people look at his work, their first reaction is to see it as political; however, Natchez said he sees it as more educational. He added that his work does not come from a place of bitterness.

“My grandmother told me when I was young that bitterness and hatred is a disease, and if you have that, after a while you won't know what you hate, you just hate,” Natchez said. “I try to paint more humor, satire and wit. I challenge the viewer to think, to be conscious of their own environment and maybe even examine their own lives.”

Natchez has a background in higher education. He taught art and art history for 22 years, which he said gave him the discipline he needed to pursue a professional career as an artist.

While looking at his work, one might notice a common set of colors. He works with the fundamentals, and utilizes primary and secondary colors in his paintings.

Some of the featured paintings include “Guernica to Wounded Knee,” “US Hostage,” “Geronimo’s Cadillac” and “Lone Wolf.”

“His work is unique, and I don't think we see enough of Indigenous art here in the Detroit or the Southeast Michigan area,” VanGelderen said.

Natchez said he wants to work on having a bigger presence in Detroit after this show. He said it is a market he has not been able to touch on much, so he plans to seek out other galleries in the area.

The BBAC hosted an artist talk with Natchez March 11, where he gave a presentation and answered the audience’s questions.

The National Endowment for the Arts and Arts Midwest is supporting the Natchez exhibition at the BBAC.

This exhibit is free and open to the public during regular BBAC hours until April 20. More information can be found on bbartcenter.org.