Kevin Red Star is the subject of an interesting article in a recent edition of the Santa Fe New Mexican. Highlighting Kevin’s long term residency in both Montana and New Mexico since 1962, author Daniel Gibson shares insights from Kevin on how and why he started painting in New Mexico and his participation in the Santa Fe Indian Market, held every year in August since 1921. Read article…
In August 1962, Red Star made his first airplane flight, arriving in Santa Fe from Montana to join in the inaugural class of the Institute of American Indian Arts. It was a defining moment in launching the contemporary American Indian art movement. “Many of us had come from places where we were treated badly by non-Indian instructors who looked down on you and didn’t promote you, even though you were good. It was a blessing to have that situation turned around, and given a better opportunity, the kids naturally excelled. We saw the instructors as successful people, personable professionals, and they were Indian artists. They were our models, at least mine.”