Buffalo Dancers

Magnificent detail is matched with elegant execution.  We are privy to a snapshot of ceremonial activity, thanks to the artist, Rafael Medina.

(Born 1929- deceased 1990's) Medina's Indian name was Teeyacheena. He was from Zia pueblo. Medina had an illustrative style of his own in showing dances where poles, which preceded drums, furnished the rhythm for the dances.

Medina attended the Albuquerque Indian School and the Santa Fe Indian School. Medina was a student of Velina Herrera, Jose Rey Toledo and Geronima Montoya. He had been given the Philbrook Award and his works are included in such collections as the Philbrook Art Center, the De Young Gallery, the Dallas Museum of Fine Arts, the Art Gallery in Portland and the Heard Museum in Phoenix.

His art was reviewed in Patricia Broder's book American Indian Painting and Sculpture on pages 28-29.