Tonita Peña Arquero is best known for her detailed and colorful portraits of pueblo life. Ceremonial scenes are common subjects of her artwork, including both individual dancers and groups of dancers. Peña moved beyond customs that allowed only men to paint living figures, becoming the only woman in an artistic movement called the San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group. Her depictions of traditional pueblo customs through a nontraditional medium have made her an influential figure in contemporary Native American art.
Daughter of the late Natividad Pena
and the late Ascencion Pena
Pitacio Arquero, informant
She had radiation therapy on her adrenal glands, died of cancer
Tonita Peña Arquero is best known for her detailed and colorful portraits of pueblo life. Ceremonial scenes are common subjects of her artwork, including both individual dancers and groups of dancers. Peña moved beyond customs that allowed only men to paint living figures, becoming the only woman in an artistic movement called the San Ildefonso Self-Taught Group. Her depictions of traditional pueblo customs through a nontraditional medium have made her an influential figure in contemporary Native American art.
Daughter of the late Natividad Pena
and the late Ascencion Pena
Pitacio Arquero, informant
She had radiation therapy on her adrenal glands, died of cancer
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