POP CHALEE

- POP CHALEE (MERINA LUJAN) -

Taos Pueblo, 1906-1993

Pop Chalee, born Merina Lujan in Castle Gate, Utah, was a celebrated Native American artist of Taos Pueblo heritage. Her father, Joe Lujan, was from Taos Pueblo, while her mother, Merea Maratta, was of Swiss descent. Pop Chalee, meaning "Blue Flower" in Tiwa, spent much of her childhood immersed in the culture and traditions of her father’s Taos Pueblo. After attending various schools, including the Santa Fe Indian School, she pursued formal art training under Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian Art School in the 1930s. Dunn's encouragement of traditional Native American styles shaped Chalee's approach, which blended elements of her Pueblo heritage with personal expression. Her signature painting style involved highly stylized depictions of animals, ceremonial scenes, and enchanted forest landscapes, characterized by whimsical, flat forms, vibrant colors, and a dreamlike quality.

Pop Chalee became well-known for her murals and illustrations. One of her most significant commissions was creating a large mural at the Albuquerque Airport in 1945, which featured graceful deer and other wildlife in a mystical forest setting. In addition to painting, she was an accomplished performer and storyteller, drawing on her cultural heritage to engage with audiences through dance and traditional narratives. Chalee's work earned her national and international recognition, and she was a key figure in the broader movement of Native American art in the 20th century, alongside contemporaries like Pablita Velarde. Her art was celebrated for its enchanting and otherworldly qualities, blending her Native American heritage with modernist influences. Chalee passed away in 1993, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Native American art.

Pop Chalee’s work is held in several major museums and collections, reflecting her significant contribution to Native American art. The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian houses some of her pieces, preserving her legacy as a prominent figure in 20th-century Native art. Her works can also be found in the collections of the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe, which celebrates her roots in the Southwest and her influence on Native art movements. Additionally, the Gilcrease Museum in Tulsa, Oklahoma, which specializes in American art and history, includes Chalee's works in its extensive Native American art collection.