Tindel's artistic lineage is as illustrious as it is daunting. Descended from a matrilineal dynasty of celebrated Native artists—Pablita Velarde, Helen Hardin, and Margarete Bagshaw—she found herself grappling with the weight of expectation and legacy. In her own words, she confesses, "I felt really heavy... I felt I needed to find my own way."
Yet, it was in this struggle for identity and self-expression that Tindel discovered her true calling. What began as a hesitant exploration, sparked by a simple panel and pen handed to her by her mother, blossomed into a cathartic journey of artistic revelation. Through her paintings, Tindel found a voice uniquely her own.
Her style, gently abstracted yet deeply evocative, serves as a canvas for the complexities of human experience. In works like "Season of Soul," vibrant flowers dance with energy and joy, while "Thoughts and Emotions" delves into the depths of the mind, weaving a tapestry of thoughts and feelings with delicate precision. Each stroke, each hue, speaks volumes, inviting viewers to explore the intricate interplay between nature and emotion.
Central to Tindel's creative odyssey is her fellowship at the Women's International Study Center at the Acequia Madre House in Santa Fe. It is here, amidst the tranquil beauty of nature and the rich tapestry of female empowerment, that she found solace and inspiration. Through her paintings, she transforms the burden of legacy into a beacon of creativity, allowing herself the freedom to create and to explore.
Each painting, a window into Tindel's soul, speaks of resilience, of introspection, and of the boundless possibilities that arise when one embraces their true self.
In "Paintings From the Acequia Madre House," Helen K. Tindel invites us to embark on a journey—a journey of self-discovery, of healing, and of artistic transcendence. It is a journey that reminds us of the power of art to transform, to uplift, and to connect us to the beauty that resides within and around us.
HELEN K. TINDEL
New Paintings from the Acequia Madre House
May 17 – 31, 2024 — Santa Fe
Helen K. Tindel presents a series of paintings created during her fellowship with the Women's International Study Center at the Acequia Madre House.
Artist Reception: Friday, May 17th from 5 - 7pm
Blue Rain Gallery | 544 South Guadalupe Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501
