Lot 177A
Michael McCullough (Native American, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, b. 1951). Hopi Pottery. Watercolor on paper, n.d. A tribute to continuity, craft, and ancestral memory, this watercolor by Michael McCullough presents five Puebloan vessels alongside a traditional cottonwood katsina doll, rendered with remarkable depth and cultural fidelity. Each object is painted with keen attention to texture and surface: matte slips, fire clouds, painted motifs, and wood grain glow beneath McCullough's transparent washes. The grouping evokes a curated altar of tradition - symbols of Indigenous identity, sacred function, and aesthetic lineage. The artist, a member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, draws here from Zuni, Acoma, and ancient Anasazi traditions. One vessel is based on a Mimbres bowl dated A.D. 1100, decorated with a stylized bird. Size of painting: 34.5" W x 14" H (87.6 cm x 35.6 cm); of frame: 43.25" W x 23.25" H (109.9 cm x 59.1 cm)
Beneath the composition, a real archaeological ceramic shard is inset into the matte. The fragment, an Anasazi relic dating to ca. 1100 to 1250 A.D., was excavated in New Mexico and returned through state stewardship to be made available to artists like McCullough. The result is a subtle but powerful merging of painted memory and material time.
McCullough is known throughout the Southwest for his vibrant, historically rooted imagery. Educated at West Texas State University, he has spent decades in New Mexico painting the region's changing light, cultural heritage, and traditional arts. His watercolors serve not only as art objects but as visual archives - preserving pottery forms, tribal iconography, and the sacred roles they continue to play. In this work, McCullough honors both the makers of the past and the meanings they carried. The katsina, the bowls, and the shard together become vessels of time - handed down, painted forward, and grounded in the enduring presence of Indigenous tradition.
From the artist's website: "Michael and Stephen McCullough (twin brothers) are well known throughout the Southwest over the past 30 years for their strong, vibrant paintings. As Native American artists (members of the Choctaw Nation roll #001-027-211 & #001-217-212) they specialize in original paintings of authentic images reflecting the culture and history of the Southwest. Their works may be seen at several galleries in the New Mexico, Arizona and Colorado areas as well as Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum Indian Market (Phoenix), Phippen Western Artists show (Prescott, AZ), Sharlot Hall Museum (Prescott, AZ) and others."
Please note this item may fall under the Safeguard Tribal Objects of Patrimony Act and may not be eligible for international shipping. Native American, Alaska Native, & Native Hawaiian objects are only eligible to ship within the United States.
Provenance: Cultural Patina Gallery, Burke, Virginia, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#188594
- Condition: Signed at lower left. Mounted behind glass in custom matte and frame and accompanied by pottery shard. Has not been examined outside of glass, but both painting and frame appear to be in excellent overall condition. Suspension wire on verso for display.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |