Dreaver Power Apache
Original drawing or limited edition print on paper • Likely after or in the style of Frank Howell (1937–1997) or a similar contemporary Southwest artist focusing on Indigenous portraiture.
Style & Movement
Contemporary Southwest Regionalism / Native American Contemporary Art style (intermingling realism and abstraction).
Medium & Technique
Mixed media involving graphite, charcoal, and watercolor wash; utilizing contour line work and flat planes of color in a schematic, post-modern style.
Creation Period
Late 20th Century, likely circa 1970s-1980s.
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 24 x 36 inches; horizontal landscape-oriented paper support.
Subject Description
A noble portrait of a Native American (Apache) man in traditional dress. The composition uses thin, flowing lines and soft earth tones to create a dreamlike, spiritual quality. The subject wears a breastplate and has hair ornaments, with features rendered in a segmented, topographic fashion.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good; the work appears stable but shows signs of slight paper oxidation and reflection issues from non-UV glass.
Estimated Market Value
$200 - $600 (depending on if it is an original or a signed lithograph).
Auction Estimate
$150 - $400.
Provenance History
Likely acquired via a commercial gallery in the American Southwest or an estate sale; a penciled inscription on the left identifies the subject.
Art Historical Significance
Represents the boom of Southwest Contemporary art in the late 20th century, which sought to recontextualize Indigenous imagery through a lens of modern abstraction while maintaining a focus on dignity and heritage.
Notable Features
Distinctive cursive graphite inscription on the lower left identifying the subject; characteristic use of 'negative space' where the figure blends into the background.
Condition Issues
Visible glare from glass suggests a lack of anti-reflective coating; potential light foxing or yellowing due to standard wood-pulp matting; slight warping of the paper support.
Conservation Recommendations
Remount using acid-free archival materials and replace current glass with Museum Grade UV-protection glass to prevent fading of the delicate washes.