Ryan Huna Smith (Chemehuevi/Navajo) is an enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes in Parker, Arizona. He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico where he received a Certification in 2-Dimensional Art in 1987. He transferred to the University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona where he majored in Studio Art with an emphasis in Illustration. He received his Bachelor’s in Fine Arts degree in 1994.
Ryan has participated in Native American Art shows such as the Prescott Indian Art Market, Prescott, AZ; The Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair and Art Market, Phoenix, AZ; Native American Art Festival, Litchfield Park, AZ; and the Indian Artist of America Show, Scottsdale, AZ. He has won several awards at the Prescott Indian Art Market.
Ryan is the Program Manager of the Upward Bound Program at Pima College, a college prep program for high school students. He teaches art at PCC and works as a freelance illustrator.
Artist Statement:
“My art work depicts my Native American heritage as well as influences I have with popular culture specifically comic books and Japanese Animation. The majority of my work focuses on the human figure, and how it can be arranged within the composition. I feel my work is more about the use of the figure, placement of the hands, expression on the face, rather than the specific tribe that has been depicted.”
“For the past ten years or so, comic book art has been the biggest influence in the work I create. The use of color, dynamic use of the figure, while incorporating Native American subject matter, has given my work its distinctive look. At first glance, my work looks as if it were dealing with the genre of humor. Many of us make that connection due to the relation of humor and cartoons. However, I’m not necessarily projecting humor in my work; I use the style to depict strength, power, and pride within my culture.”
huna67@hotmail.com(520) 326-8730
