Samuel Francis English Sr. Journeys to Other Side Camp

Samuel Francis English Sr. Journeys to Other Side Camp

The four race colors are prominent in my life and my paintings because I believe we should all live together as human beings regardless of who we are.  — Sam English Sr.

AISES is saddened to announce the passing of nationally recognized artist and activist Samuel Francis English Sr., who journeyed to the other side camp on November 10, age 81, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. English was a dedicated friend and integral member of the AISES family who donated his art, which was widely admired on National Conference posters and Winds of Change magazine covers. His extraordinary works Year of the American Indian and Restoring the Earth were the 14th and 15th annual National Conference posters.

Known to many as Sam English, he belonged to the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians in Minnesota and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewas Indians in North Dakota. He was raised in Ignacio, Colorado, and lived in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Albuquerque, where he lived and created work in his studio for over 40 years.

English’s art was collected by galleries and art aficionados across Turtle Island and beyond. He founded the Sam English Art Gallery in historic Old Town in Albuquerque – a cultural center of artists, artisans, art galleries, and history. Through his contemporary Indigenous art English built strong community bonds and told amazing stories in various media including oils, acrylics, watercolor, graphite, pen, and pastel.

Knowing the background and the stories behind each work of art was to truly know, love, and respect Sam English. In his paintings he used culturally resonant symbolism such as stars, tepees, animals, people, and eagle feathers — symbols of spirituality. He also imbued love, respect, community, family, and tradition throughout his distinct and colorful pieces.

On December 10, 1981, English “drove his lance” choosing to live a sober life. When he found recovery, English said that art was the only thing to fill the void — it couldn’t be anything else. So that’s how he lived! He said, “Without the art, I wouldn’t be here.”

English would explain that it took him years to perfect the imagery that “we” liked best — “we” was how English referenced himself and Creator. “It doesn’t imply I am some sort of creative genius but that ‘we’ tried to do art with great dignity, humor, tradition, spirit, and all that goes into these things,” he said. “My images represent the things that I’ve seen, the things that I’ve heard, the good times and the bad times. That’s what we paint.”

Along with his dedication to AISES, English had a deep connection to many different causes, which was his way of helping Indigenous people and their communities. He was a strong advocate of the Wellbriety Movement, championing others to commit to a life of wellness and healing. He said, “True self-determination is the ability to make decisions in your life that include accountability and responsibility.”

He donated to organizations like Mending the Sacred Hoop, the Minnesota Department of Health, White Bison, the Great Lakes Inter-Tribal Council, and the United States Department of Justice, among many others. “I want my art to impact everybody. For people who don’t know what Indian art or Indian people are, I want that to impact them enough to want to find out. I want Indian people to look at it and say, ‘Hey, you know, this is a good rendition of who we are and invokes all the things that make me feel good about myself,’” said English.

English also donated his time and his art to auctions, events, books, and posters. His art was used in the book Red Earth, White Lies by Vine Deloria Jr; Elizabeth Cook-Lynn’s Anti-Indianism in Modern America: A Voice from Tatekeya’s Earth; and his very own Sam English: The Life of an Artist that contains over 85 full-color, full-page copies of prints, posters, and other works.

Among his many recognitions and awards, English was a 1994 recipient of the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award. In 2009, he was named “A History Maker” by the Southwestern Association of American Indian Art and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in company with legendary Zia Pueblo potter Sofia Pino Medina and painter Oscar Howe from the Yanktonai of the Dakota Nation.

The AISES family sends our deep condolences and sincere prayers to his loving family. He is survived by his sister Donna English, his six children Sam English Jr., Valerie Herrera, Michelle English, Haley English, Jonas Kunasha, and Jaqx Kanusha. His legacy embraces nine grandchildren, thirteen great-grandchildren, seven nieces and nephews, and his second wife, Moya McGuill.

English leaves an enduring legacy of widely respected works that leaves a mark on the art world. May the ancestors welcome Sam with an artist paintbrush and palette. Paint the universe Sam! We are missing you already.

Enjoy the Colores New Mexico PBS (circa 1995) about Sam English by clicking this link.