Robert Chee

Robert Chee
Hashke-Yil-Cale
Ettore DeGrazia, Harrison Begay, and Robert Chee (circa 1960) in Tucson, Arizona
BornDecember 14, 1937[1]
St. Michaels, Arizona, U.S.[1]
Died1971
St. Michaels, Arizona, U.S.
Other namesHashke-Yil-E-Cale
SpouseLouise
Children2

Robert Chee, also known as Hashke-Yil-Cale (1937–1971)[1][2] was a Navajo contemporary artist and author. He is best known for his painting and serigraphy,[3][4] but he also worked as an illustrator, and weaver.

Early life and education[edit]

Robert Chee was born on December 14, 1937, in St. Michaels, Arizona.[5][2] In early age, he attended school in Bellemont.[5] His artistic talent was recognized in childhood, he started painting at age 10.[6] Chee was enrolled in the Intermountain Indian School, where he studied under Allan Houser.[1][7][6] He had been a member of Tewa Enterprises (around 1951), the Native American printmaking group.[8]

Career[edit]

From 1958 to 1961, Chee served in the United States Army and painted murals at army bases including one in Mainz, Germany.[1][5] In 1959 and 1960, Chee won first prize at the Navajo Tribal Fair,[5] and the Gallup Ceremonials in 1966.[2] In 1963, Chee won first prize at the Philbrook Art Center (now known as the Philbrook Museum of Art).[5]

Chee's favorite medium to work in was watercolor,[1] and he often used darker-colored paper (typically black or blue papers) as a background.[2] He was known for his distinct flatstyle painting, which was in part a reflection of the earlier "studio-style" of painting taught at Dorothy Dunn's art classes in the Santa Fe Indian School's Studio School.[1][9] His later work shows the suggestion of a foreground with hills or the sprigs of plants coming from the earth.[2] In 1969, Chee started using lighter colored paper (grey or white papers), which changed the feeling of many of his works.[2]

Death and legacy[edit]

Chee died in late 1971.[2] His work can be found in public museum collections including the Minneapolis Institute of Art,[10] Museum of Northern Arizona,[11] Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art,[12] Arizona State Museum,[13] Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art,[14] the Penticton Gallery,[15] and the National Museum of the American Indian.[16]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Worthington, G. Lola (26 May 2010). "Chee, Robert". Grove Art Online. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/gao/9781884446054.article.t2086800. ISBN 978-1-884446-05-4. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Tanner, Clara Lee (1973). Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art. Tucson, Arizona: The University of Arizona Press. pp. 365–367. ISBN 9780816503094.
  3. ^ "What's it Worth? Robert Chee paintings". The Mercury News. 2010-05-18. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  4. ^ "Bridging the distance through art at the Museum of Northern Arizona". Navajo-Hopi Observer News. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  5. ^ a b c d e Marting, Dorlina (4 December 1965). "All Arizona Artist's Home". Newspapers.com. Arizona Republic. p. 4. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  6. ^ a b Hickson, Howard (3 November 1962). "Art Collections". Newspapers.com. Reno Gazette-Journal. p. 10. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  7. ^ "Robert Chee - Biography". Askart.com. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  8. ^ "Chee, Robert (Native American painter and serigrapher, 1937-1971)". ULAN Full Record Display (Getty Research). Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  9. ^ Bucklew, Joan (7 August 1966). "Gallery of Indian Art Features Robert Chee". Newspapers.com. Arizona Republic. p. 66. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  10. ^ ""Robert Chee"". Minneapolis Institute of Art. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  11. ^ "Walking In Beauty Exhibit Checklist". Museum of Northern Arizona. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  12. ^ "James T. Bialac Collection". Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  13. ^ "Avery Collection of American Indian Paintings". Arizona State Museum. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  14. ^ "Hashke-Yil-E-Cale (Robert Chee)". Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, Cornell University. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  15. ^ "Robert Chee". Penticton Art Gallery. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
  16. ^ "Riding". National Museum of the American Indian. Retrieved 2021-12-24.
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