Contemporary Arapaho Art

Robert Martinez is a contemporary artist who works on the Wind River Reservation with at risk youth. Through art, he teaches them to embrace who they are in an ever-changing world. It is through this process that healing is possible.

In his own art, Robert uses the color blue to represent his tribe the Northern Arapaho, who are known as The Blue Sky People. He uses sunrise and sunset colors to heal the heart, mind, and soul of those who enjoy his work. His work reflects ancient traditions as well as contemporary objects, blending the modern with an element of cultural restoration.

His work can be viewed by visiting his website at: martinezartdesign.com

“What does ‘traditional’ mean in today’s society?” This is the question that guides much of Martinez’s work. People tend to look at Native peoples as living in the past. But as an artist, Martinez subverts expectations. He uses iconic images such as war bonnets, decorating them with digital symbols that bring the present into the past. By blending the contemporary with the traditional, Martinez gives his art a vibrancy and vigor that acknowledges a shared history without becoming stale or stagnant. Forever repeating Native themes without acknowledging today’s realities, does not, according to Martinez, lead to a loss of culture or identity. Rather, including contemporary life invigorates both the art and a sense of shared community.

In this next video, Robert Martinez discusses how he uses both historic and modern references in his art.