Antelope Priest 1961

Frederick O’Hara's ‘Antelope Priest’ is a print, probably made with a wood or linoleum block. Look at the way this figure emerges from the blocky shapes. It's not smooth or seamless; it’s made of these segmented forms, and the colors feel earthy. What did O'Hara feel when he created it? Did he feel a connection to something ancient, something deeply rooted in tradition? He’s taking something from way back when, from archaic times. This figure is abstracted, right? But it feels charged, like it could have been part of some sacred ritual. I'm thinking about other artists who riff on tribal art. Was O'Hara thinking about them? Maybe? But that’s how art works, isn't it? We’re all in a big conversation, borrowing, stealing, riffing, and discovering something new. I see this work as a testament to the power of seeing, thinking, and experiencing something of the world through the artist's hand and block.