Hindman Presents Property from the Private Collection of Elena and Veloy Vigil
Hindman is honored to present artworks from the Private Collection of Elena and Veloy Vigil in our November 1st Western & Contemporary Native American Art auction. Join us in exploring this talented Puebloan artist's work and career trajectory.
A well-respected and prolific painter, sculptor and printmaker, Veloy Vigil is best known for his use of bright colors and abstract expressionistic brushwork. With a career spanning over three decades, Vigil’s body of work is vast and varied, inspired by a love of nature rooted in his rural upbringing, the spirituality that pervaded his everyday life, and the influence of family, friends and artists who surrounded him throughout his career.
Lot 127 | Veloy Vigil (American, 1931-1997) | Noon Crossing | Estimate: $3,000 - $5,000
This session of art within the November 1st auction represents a select group of works from the Private Collection of Elena and Veloy Vigil. This group of art showcases an incredible array of artworks - ranging in style, subject, composition, and media – that were not only created by Veloy Vigil but were also inspired by his creations.
Born in Denver, Colorado in 1931, Vigil discovered his affinity for fine art early in life. He had a keen awareness of his environment, and spent all of his free time, taking in the light, shapes and colors of nature. Though his skill was obvious to those around him, no one in his rural hometown quite knew what to make of his talent. It was not until after he had already lived a full life – serving in Korea in the Marine Corp, working as an assistant in an animal research hospital, fueling planes for Western Airlines, and raising four children with his wife Elena that – Vigil finally felt emboldened to pursue his passion. In the mid-1950s, the passion that had followed him since his youth led him to art school in Denver, Colorado. The final push to follow his dreams came from Elena, who would continue to be a source of encouragement for the rest of his career.
In 1958 Vigil began his professional art career working as a designer at American Greetings Corporation in Cleveland, Ohio. Surrounded by other like-minded, emerging artists, Vigil was able to expand his fine art knowledge with the encouragement of his colleauges. Still, the love of the American West was too much to ignore, and after six years in Ohio, the Vigil family returned to their roots.
Lot 125 | Veloy Vigil (American, 1931-1997) | Wyoming Color, 1993 | Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000
Elena and Veloy Vigil opened their first gallery in Orange, California in the mid-1960s. Serving primarily as a studio for Veloy, it was also a space where local artists could come together to create art. The gallery continued to move locations over the years, but always remained a place for artistic collaboration and exploration for Vigil, his contemporaries and eventually his two sons. Over the years, through camaraderie with their fellow artist friends, Veloy and Elena began collecting and trading works of art. Their collection quickly grew and became an eclectic mix of artist expression.
It was in 1981 that Elena and Veloy finally settled in Taos, New Mexico. With Veloy spending almost every waking hour in the studio painting, printing and promoting his art, Elena decided it was time to reopen the gallery on New Mexican ground. Naming the space Gallery Elena had been Veloy’s idea; he recognized how diligently she had worked at his side over so many years. Through the studio and gallery, their circle of artist friends continued to grow, as did the family’s extensive collection.
The list of artists whose lives intertwined with the Vigils – through friendship, gallery representation, or both – is extensive. They admired these artists and friends, displayed their work proudly in their home and gallery, and were always eager to see new creations. Max Pruneda, Sam Scott, Keith Crown and Ray Vinella are among the artists whose work was shown at Gallery Elena and remained close friends with the family. The Vigils were deeply immersed in many facets of the fine art world, propelled by Veloy’s passion for innovation and bolstered by the steadfast support and business acumen of Elena.
Lots 119 through 143 showcase 15 of Veloy Vigil’s finest works in tandem with some of the artwork that shared space with the Vigil family – held in the family’s private collection, until now.
Featured Image:
Lot 120 | Veloy Vigil (American, 1931-1997) | Altar Flowers, 1994 | Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000