New Mexico Magazine - Nativo Lodge
Native artists, Rhett Lynch, Nanibah Chacon, Ehren Natay, and Heidi Brandow, installations in guest rooms at Albuquerque's Nativo Lodge.
Artist Room at Nativo Lodge
Photos Courtesy of Nativo Lodge
Nativo Lodge May 10, 2013
Nativo Lodge, a Heritage Hotels and Resorts, Inc. hotel and SWAIA, have commissioned four Native American contemporary artists to transform guestrooms into works of art. This bold artist room project is the first of its kind in New Mexico. "Most people experience art in galleries or museum settings. The opportunity for our hotel guests to sleep in a guest room that is an art piece in itself, promises to be one of the most exciting and stimulating experiences anywhere," said Heritage Hotels and Resorts, Inc. CEO, Jim Long. These guest rooms, designed by Native American artists, are deeply rooted in cultural traditions but express themselves in surprising ways. These artist rooms take the hotel guest room experience to another level."
Acclaimed SWAIA Native American contemporary artists Heidi Brandow, Nani Chacon, Rhett Lynch and Ehren Kee Natay will kick off the Artist Room project. These New Mexico artists have received local and national attention including accolades from SWAIA. Nativo Lodge partnered with SWAIA to select these featured artists through a juried submission process.
Rhett Lynch Creates Artist Guest Room at Nativo Lodge in Albuquerque
Rhett in Front of Prayer Painting - Photo by Leo York
Rhett Lynch (Diné) has been painting, sculpting, writing and acting for over thirty years. His art conveys the stories and experiences of his indigenous heritage as well as provoking thought and emotions. Lynch’s room features a work of art that has 175 prayer ties over the bed, a design that reflects the east morning light and giclee prints on the walls.
Rhett’s praryer tie painting above the bed offers prayers of gratefulness and peace to guests of the room who will sleep under this painting. The large painting on the West wall is a continuation of giving people a visual and spiritual feast and is evocative of Rhett’s work with layering color. Guests will also encounter two pieces on the wall adjacent to the mirror above the sink which will give a cathedral like effect.
See photos of the room’s creation on Facebook
About the Artist Guest Rooms at Nativo Lodge:
Nativo Lodge has commissioned four Native American contemporary artists to transform guestrooms into works of art. This bold artist room project is the first of its kind in New Mexico. “These new artist rooms offer our guests a very unique experience unlike anything else in New Mexico,” said Heritage Hotels and Resorts, Inc. CEO, Jim Long. “Most people experience art in galleries or museum settings. The opportunity for our hotel guests to sleep in a guest room that is an art piece in itself, promises to be one of the most exciting and stimulating experiences anywhere. These artist guest rooms, designed by emerging Native American artists, are deeply rooted in cultural traditions but express themselves in surprising ways. These artist rooms take the hotel guest room experience to another level. ”
Nativo Artist Room Reservations are only available by calling Nativo Lodge at: 505-843-5300 or 888-628-4861
Facebook Post by Inhabitants of Burque
Rhett
Lynch was born in Lubbock, Texas and said it was an usual place for a
Navajo to be. His parents were migrant workers and he experienced
malnutrition as a baby and was put up for adoption.
As a child he
learned from nature and the animals he took care of in his rural
neighborhood. He spent a lot of time alone as a child, which he believes
allowed him to think deeper than most kids. One day he
was pondering what was god, hearing that god was always referred to as
the creator. As he thought about it more, he discovered that he must
also be a creator, just as nature constantly creates to connect with the
ultimate creator. In this process he emulates and forms a relationship
with the ultimate creator.
He moved to Taos as a teenager to pursue
art. Being financially challenged at this time, he worked endlessly to
develop his artistic skills and doing a range of jobs. Through hard work
he now makes a living as an artist and feels responsible to respect his
position and realize the responsibility of his career. Being an artist
makes him feel that he is luckest person alive.
Now he is at the
point in his career where he wants to explore the parts of himself that
are a little raw, wounded, and the unfinished places that have been
avoided throughout his life. Exploration of the dark parts of himself
has now become his journey, reflecting itself in his art.
When asked
what was his biggest fear, he responded saying that he doesn't believe
in the devil but if he could label the devil it would have to be fear.
He is not afraid of not being in his body, because he believes he was
something before this life and will be something after. He doesn't
really have a fear, but enjoys the opportunity of being here. He
embraces fear in order to learn from it and conquer it. If he allows
himself to fear he feels will go backwards and not fulfill the
opportunity he is here on this planet to do.
In life Rhett believes
that you must learn to be still and quiet. Reflect upon your life, spend
time in nature, and find a way to connect yourself to the source,
whatever that might be for you. Also realize that you are an aspect of
nature and must work with it in order to fulfill its purpose and yours.
Rhett is one of the wisest and most grounded men I have ever met. It was an opportunity of a lifetime to learn from him.
Nativo Lodge
Day One: 20 February 2013 9:00 AM - I met Maresa Thompson, marketing and creative director, at Nativo Lodge. We toured the rooms and selected the perfect one on the fourth floor. Maresa will have her crew come in and prep the room for a complete artist makeover. Thank you Jim Long for your friendship and the opportunity to create a special art space in your hotel!