Blue Rain Gallery, Santa Fe, NM March 28-April 8
This spring, Blue Rain Gallery in Santa Fe presents Remembering, a new exhibition by Diné (Navajo) artist Ryan Singer. On view will be a selection of new work running through themes of portraiture, homage pieces, Indigenous Futurism, dinosaurs and nostalgic imagery of childhood toys—all infused with his unique narrative.
The genre of Native Futurism, or Indigenous Futurism, is a fairly new concept, explains Singer. Born out of the concept of Afrofuturism (a cultural movement exploring the intersection of Black culture, science and technology) popularized in 1993, the genre can be found within the art vernacular as early as the 1960s. “Indigenous Futurism is very similar,” says the artist. “It explores sci-fi, technology, the future, ideas of colonization, as well as giving a cultural perspective from an Indigenous worldview.”
Singer says he started blending sci-fi with Indigenous culture, mainly Navajo, in the early 2000s. In 2008, he completed his first major Star Wars/Navajo painting, titled SAND PEOPLE WITH NAVAJO WAR BLANKET, which he says opened the gateway for more ideas and possibilities. “I’ve done many Star Wars and other sci-fi mashups with Indigenous culture ever since,” he explains. “It has been refreshing to see this art movement take off worldwide, to see Indigenous cultures from all over the globe mix art with science fiction concepts.”
To Singer, the Navajo Reservation is a land of boundless freedom, artistic exploration and formative childhood memories. With the creation of 15 new works for the show, including three pieces of pottery, he transforms a deeply personal connection into colorful, lighthearted explorations of pop culture infused with his Indigenous DNA.
Singer says he’s particularly excited to share his painting COCHITI PUEBLO MATRIARCH. In the work a woman in the jewelry and intricate embroidery of a traditional costume stands against a stylized background of juniper-dotted hills, Pueblo structures and distant mountains. She seems at once a contemporary figure and a timeless one. Singer adds, “It is my first homage to one of my favorite Indigenous artists, David Bradley. I love his artwork and he’s been a big influence on my own work.”
As an artist, teacher, mentor and creative soul, Singer says his driving passion to create emanates from the connection with his viewers. He explains, “I want them to feel the human connection that keeps us passionate, that keeps us thriving for something better. I want them to get a perspective of an American pop culture experience from an Indigenous artist born at the epicenter of generation X.”
An artist reception happens 5 to 7 p.m. on March 25. —Doreen Manning
contact information(505) 954-9902blueraingallery.com
This story appeared in the April/May 2025 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Subscribe today to read every issue in its entirety.
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