JAMES LAVADOUR
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- JAMES LAVADOUR -
Walla Walla Tribe, 1951—
James Lavadour is a contemporary artist of Walla Walla descent, widely recognized for his unique landscape paintings which combine strong elements of abstraction and expressionism. Born on the Umatilla Indian Reservation in northeastern Oregon, Lavadour's cultural heritage and deep connection to the land have significantly influenced his artistic practice. His early experiences on the reservation and interactions with the natural landscape of the Pacific Northwest instilled in him a profound respect for the earth and its elemental forces. Lavadour was largely self-taught, though he cites the land itself as his greatest teacher, shaping both his worldview and creative vision. Lavadour’s paintings can appear abstract at first glance, but they are rooted in the physical landscapes he is so deeply connected to.
Lavadour is the founder of the Crow’s Shadow Institute of the Arts. Established in 1992 on the Umatilla Reservation, Crow’s Shadow is a non-profit organization that provides a creative space for Native American artists to develop their talents, particularly in the medium of printmaking. Crow’s Shadow is a celebrated pillar in the printmaking community.
Lavadour’s work has been widely exhibited in galleries and esteemed museums across the United States, earning him critical acclaim. His work has been exhibited at major institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian, the Whitney Museum of American Art, and the Portland Art Museum. In 2013, he exhibited at the Venice Biennale, as part of the U.S. Pavilion. Lavadour’s work is in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Hood Museum, the Montclair Art Museum, the Seattle Art Museum, the Zimmerli Art Museum, among many other institutions.