Indian Maiden Feeding Deer

This mural is a dramatic expression of the Pueblo peoples' gratitude to the deer, historically an important element of their diet. The scene symbolizes the cultural connection to the deer, and maintaining a coexistence with all living things. The figure feeds the deer as a sign of respect and compassion, knowing that in the future the deer may give itself to Pueblo hunters for sustenance.

The Artist

Robert Montoya, Soe Khuwa Pin, is a self-taught artist with ties to both Sandia Pueblo and Ohkay Owingeh. He was encouraged to paint by his artist-teacher mother and his father, a skilled carpenter. He has a degree in architecture from the University of New Mexico, and a master's degree in urban and regional planning from the University of Oklahoma. He was vice-president of Mimbres and Associates, an architectural and city-planning firm in Santa Fe. He has won a Best-of-Show award at the Santa Fe Indian Market.

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