Fritz Scholder's abstract paintings transcend depictions of the natural world. With gestural brushstrokes rooted in action painting and a keen compositional sense, Scholder captured the essence of his surroundings, imbuing them with a surreal, otherworldly quality. His palette, naturally influenced by the muted tones of the Southwest express deeper emotional and psychological states. A master colorist, Scholder manipulated bold fields to evoke visceral responses and used expressive brushwork and explosive mark-making to convey the emotional weight of his environment.

"Sound Zone" stands out as a seminal masterpiece from this period—a rare and important meditation on the land and environment. The use of ovoids and circles, a motif Scholder revisited throughout his career, links this work to past traditional Indigenous iconography as well as artists to come. IAIA students such as T.C. Cannon and Billy Soza War Soldier explored similar iconography in the late 1960s, undoubtedly influenced by work such as “Sound Zone”, that they were exposed to through Fritz Scholder, their dedicated teacher. 

Imbued with reverence for nature and its awe-inspiring mystery, Scholder's abstract landscapes become meditations on the land and the interconnectedness of all things.