Jack Malotte by David B Walker, CEO, Nevada Museum of Art, Reno, Nevada, 2019.
I was exploring something and came across something that said the artist Jack Malotte is from Duckwater, Nevada. After that I just had to see some of his work. Sheri and I lived in Duckwater from 1983-1985. Duckwater is a very small community with less than 200 residents. The Art of Jack Malotte was on display at the Nevada Museum of Art from June 6-October 20 2019. The museum put together a book of the display which included many works. The book also includes a biography of Jack Malotte, and a chronology. Common themes for Malotte are, a Native American man, whirlwinds, and activism. He often has pictures of mountains, with feathers, birds, or jets flying above.
He was active with the Dann sisters, Mary and Carrie. They struggled the the BLM claiming that according to treaty the land still belonged to the Western Shoshone. However the BLM claimed jurisdiction over the land and wanted to charge grazing fees. The courts have granted millions of dollars for the land, which the Shoshone have not taken saying the land is not for sale. It is gathering interest someplace. The Dann sisters have since passed away but Malotte lent his supoort with artwork for their organization.
Other activist movements have included stop MX, stop nuclear testing on Shoshone land and protection of the environment.
In his history Malotte has lived many places, and his art. There are many pictures of desert and mountain, in Nevada and Arizona. One special painting I like is of Big Spring in Duckwater. Many of the paintings remind my of the desert and mountains where I live now in Kingman.
He formed a relationship with Virginia Sanchez of Duckwater which motivated him to move there in 1999. I worked with Virginia Sanchez when I was in Duckwater. During that time she and Kathy Graham Blackeye traveled to Europe to testify before the United Nations. Virginia and Jack Malotte both have that activist spirit.
This art is incredible. I would share it but I am sure it is copyrighted. I did find a couple paintings on line, including the book cover and my favorite form the book. This art is very intriguing and makes you think. The book mentioned a mural at Duckwater school and I wanted to see this but couldn't find it
