Alex Peña, Prints and Drawings
Alex Peña, an enrolled member of the Comanche Nation in Oklahoma, considers different aesthetic values in his art. He incorporates cultural knowledge, interpersonal relationships, and the idea of beauty. He relies heavily on the process and he allows the media to dictate, refine, or enhance his statement of aesthetic worth. Peña’s work suggests place and emotion. In his work, Peña uses the literality and simplicity of a line created by the use of a straight-edge as well as exploring the variety of line that can be created by using a different color, width, repetition, or direction of line. Peña received a BFA from Cameron University and an MA and MFA at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, where he was an Advanced Opportunity Fellow. In addition to his art practice, he has taught at various institutions including the Institute of American Indian and served as Chair of the Visual Arts Department at Santa Fe Preparatory School.
Alex Peña by Karen Burbank
“My work reflects a changing sense of place, both literally and metaphorically. Even when working intuitively, I often revisit the work and identify the common denominator of place and my relationship with it.”
-Alex Peña, 2020
