The Eagle Dance by J.D. Medina
The Eagle Dance dramatizes the relationship between man, the eagle, and the gods. The eagle is a powerful symbol for Pueblo people and is thought to be a messenger of the deities. The eagle is a great hunter, and since he travels far in all directions, he may bring rain. Plumed serpents, also important in prayers for rain, decorate the kilts of the dancers, and the soaring, leaping figures, with feathered arms extended, are caught in a moment of intensity and action. In the background, a small line of houses with a ladder raised to the rooftop, suggests the Pueblo.

The Artist
J.D. Medina lives in Santa Fe with his wife and two children but he often returns to his native Zia Pueblo for dances and feast days. As a boy, he studied under Jose Rey Toledo and continued his studies in art at the University of New Mexico. He is equally at home with acrylics, oils and watercolors, as well as sepia and ink. He comes from a family steeped in art, as his mother and grandmother are both noted potters, and his older brother is well known for his painting.

- Close window and return to Murals page -