An artist, Gorman was thought to be “the Picasso of American art.” Born on the Navajo Indian Reservation (his father was a Navajo Code Talker in World War II), Gorman was renowned for his paintings and sculptures, which usually featured blanketed Navajo women.
Perhaps the greatest tribute to an artist is to be collected by another artist; Gorman’s work was, such as by Andy Warhol. Upon hearing of his death, Gov. Bill Richardson lamented that “New Mexico loses a great citizen and the world loses a great artist.” Rudolph Carl “R.C.” Gorman died November 3 after battling a blood infection and pneumonia. He was 74.