DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo (1992–2021) was an American painter from New Mexico.
Early life
editSuazo grew up on the tribal lands of the Taos Pueblo.[1] Suazo's mother was the Navajo (Dine) artist Geraldine Tso,[2] and her father was the Taos Pueblo painter David Gary Suazo.[3]
Art
editIn the spring of 2021, Suazo graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) with a BFA in Studio Arts.[4]
After her death, the IAIA posted online that her art "reflected Pueblo cultural significance and aesthetics. Inspired by heroic figures of Japanese manga novels including 'Sailor Moon,' she imbued her work with memory, resilience, and good intentions. Her most recent work emphasized figural paintings of strong Indigenous women that in her words 'grind every day for a better community.'"[4]
She often drew on traditional ledger paper,[3] and worked with Prism Colored maker, Indian Black Ink, and acrylic paint.[1]
Death and legacy
editOn November 13, 2021, Suazo was found dead near her car outside her home in the Taos Pueblo.[5][6] Her boyfriend, Santiago Martinez, also from the Taos Pueblo, was later charged with second-degree homicide.[6][7]
At the time of her death, Suazo was working on a master's degree at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.[2] In 2022, the IAIA announced the DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo Memorial Fund for Indigenous female artists in school's MFA in Studio Arts Program.[3][8]
In the spring of 2023, muralist Jenny Ustick featured Suazo's image as part of a mural on the campus of the University of New Mexico-Taos.[9] According to a press release, the other people featured as part of the Historical Women of Taos mural included "María Rosa Villalpando, ancestral matriarch of several prominent Taos families and one of the historic women of the Santa Fe Trail; Cleofas Martinez Jaramillo, historic preservationist of northern New Mexico's Spanish culture; and Helene Wurlitzer, philanthropist who started a pivotal artist residency in Taos."[9][10]
References
edit- ^ a b "DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo". Millicent Rogers Museum. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b Ikenberg, Tamara (2022-05-06). "Bubble of Joy: Late Taos Pueblo Artist's Work Popped with Tradition, Style, and Strength". Native News Online. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b c Concha, Juanisidro (2022-12-20). "DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo Memorial Scholarship Fund". The Taos News. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b Jason. "DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo—Memorial and Celebration of Life". Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ Writer, Andy Stiny / Journal Staff (2021-11-24). "Boyfriend charged in killing of Taos Pueblo artist". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b Easley, Liam (2023-12-06). "Prosecutor files motion to add witness testimony to Taos Pueblo artist homicide case". The Taos News. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ Writer, Andy Stiny / Journal Staff (2021-11-30). "Man pleads not guilty in death of Taos Pueblo artist". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ Admin, T. A. C. (2023-02-13). "The Institute of American Indian Arts has started a scholarship fund in honor of Taos Pueblo artist, "DeAnna Autumn Leaf Suazo."". Taos Arts Council. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ a b "The Historical Women of Taos Mural: UNM-Taos Río Grande Hall". UNM Newsroom. Retrieved 2024-06-02.
- ^ "Celebratory yet somber ribbon cutting". taos.unm.edu. April 3, 2024. Retrieved 2024-06-02.