The Capitol Art Collection
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Think of a State Capitol with its buildings and grounds, and you might think of manicured lawns, benches,
a dome, and predictable statuary, frequently of men on horseback. Visit the New Mexico State Capitol at the corner of Paseo de Peralta
and Old Santa Fe Trail in the capital city of Santa Fe, and your ideas will change.
The first thing you will notice is that the main building is round, imitating the shape of the Zia Indian Sun Symbol.
The second thing is that the landscaping around the "Roundhouse" is high-desert-lush and lyrical, seeking to welcome rather than
to impress. Then there is the sculpture along the street and walkways. Not a conventional monument in sight.
The visitor is greeted instead by an array of bronzes, some on loan and some a permanent part of the Capitol Collection.
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Image: © 1992 Douglas Johnson
"Hoshonzeh"
A/P, 48" x 101"
Right of two panels |
Currently placed on the grounds are Estella Loretto's Earth Mother, Allan Houser's When Friends Meet, Glenna Goodacre's
Water Bearers and Michael Naranjo's Eagle Man. Each has a tribal subject, whether the artist is a Native American or not. At other times,
sculptures may address different themes, as they are usually loaned for a period of one year. At the door to the building, facing east
toward the sunrise, stands Allan Houser's magnificent, larger than life-size bronze, Morning Prayer. This piece is on extended loan from
Allan Houser, Inc, the late sculptor's family corporation. It serves to prepare all who enter the building for the splendid collection
of paintings, sculpture and furnishings they will find inside.
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Newcomers and visitors can find no better survey of contemporary art than the Capitol Collection,
which is on view any time the building is open. Having absorbed the beauty of the images and the attached information, they can then look
at the museums and galleries and shops with a more educated eye. This is especially helpful to collectors in search of bona fide New Mexican
art.
Every segment of the the state's tricultural society—Indian, Hispanic and Anglo—is well represented under
the Capitol rotunda and in its several stories of hallways. The exhibits are designed, prepared and installed by Paul Baglione, whose professional
touch is evident in the careful placement of each image. The most traditional art is balanced by innovative ideas, and in between the two
extremes is the entire gamut of creative endeavor. Even the most long-term resident, thoroughly steeped in local art and custom, will be
gratified by the authenticity and balance of the collection.
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Image: © 1994 Diane Marsh
"Prayer"
Oil on linen / 78" x 58" |
A tour of the collection should include a stop at the Governor's Gallery, which is a branch of the Office of Cultural
Affairs. Located on the fourth floor adjacent to the Governor's Office, the gallery hosts rotating exhibits of art from around the state.
The Capitol Collection originated during the remodeling of the building in 1989-1991, when 1% of the budget was designated for art.
Part of the funds were set aside for furnishings, which were commissioned from local furniture makers. These exquisite handmade pieces,
incorporating traditional form and contemporary style, are considered a part of the art collection.
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Image: © 1987 Agueda Martinez
"Rag Rug"
Wool and cotton / 69.5" x 32.25" |
The rest of the funds were allocated for two- and three-dimensional works of art. Those purchases formed the core of the
collection
Other acquisitions have been made possible by the generosity of patrons and artists. Sculptor Glenna Goodacre donated
an edition of 100 small bronzes to underwrite the purchase of other works of art. The Allan Houser family donated an edition of 20 bronzes
cast from the maquette for When Friends Meet, a large sculpture currently installed on the grounds, with the funds also to be used for
the permanent collection.
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At the time of the 1989-91 remodeling, the Capitol Art Foundation was established. In addition to the initial organization of the project,
it has overseen development, including grants, purchases, donations and loans, as well as installation and maintenance. The Foundation
is an all-volunteer effort, from the Board of Directors to part-time curatorial assistance. Its members come from all over the state.
Cynthia Sanchez, the Director and Curator of the Capitol Collection, has recently completed her doctoral thesis at New York University.
Her knowledge and vision are evident at every turn as she conducts visitors through the hallways, stopping to check newly installed track
lighting or explanatory labels on the walls beside the art.
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Image: © 1991 Larry Bell
"La Via Del Hombre Blanco"
Mixed media collage / 70" x 89.5" |
Those labels, and especially the art itself, reveal a broad, deep coverage of all the arts in New Mexico. There are traditional
Navajo rugs and innovative weavings by contemporary Hispanic artists. There are hand carved New Mexican folk art pieces by noted contemporary
santero Charles Carrillo as well as a category-defying acrylic on panel by highly modern painter Douglas Johnson. There is a range of photography
from classic to contemporary imagery. There are several large, brilliantly colored canvases by John Nieto, some placed at the end of a
hallway for maximum impact.
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Particularly interesting are the works by emerging artists, of which there are enough to give an overview of this special
segment of the creative population. Sanchez and her committee have done an excellent job of locating, selecting and obtaining work that
stands up beautifully beside that of the most established artists in the state. Years hence, when the artists' names are equally well known,
the critical eye will find little to distinguish the quality of their work from that of their distinguished predecessors.
Cynthia Sanchez is eager to welcome visitors from around the world to the Capitol Collection, for she is justifiably proud
of the immense creativity generated by her native state. The collection is just the tip of the iceberg, but it is a representative example
of all that is to be seen elsewhere in New Mexico. "This art is made by New Mexicans, and belongs to us. It is here for the people
of our state to enjoy as well as for our guests."
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Image: © 1987 Allan Houser
"When Friends Meet"
Bronze / Ed. 6 /
72" x 60" x 42" |
The Capitol is open every day during the legislative session. It is open Monday through Friday most of the year, and on Saturdays and
holidays in the summer. Tours are at 10am and 2pm Monday through Friday.
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Thanks to Suzanne Deats
Originally appeared in
The Collector’s Guide to Santa Fe and Taos - Volume 11
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