H. David Wright Winner of Coveted Eiteljorg Purchase Award

Tennessee artist H. David Wright was honored with an invitation to present three of his paintings at the prestigious Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art in Indianapolis. Wright, a celebrated painter of the American west and frontier and Civil War, was among fifty of the most famous painters and sculptors in presenting their works at a special "Quest for the West" show in early September.

157 magnificent new works of art of the American west and Native Americans were displayed, drawing praise and acclaim from critics, patrons and guests. Representatives of famous galleries, museums and collectors from around the world attended this annual show to review the new paintings and sculptures and to add them to collections. The famed Eiteljorg contains one of the finest Native American and western art collections in the world, including traditional and contemporary works by Frederick Remington, Charlie Russell, Thomas Moran, Albert Bierstadt, Georgia O'Keefe, Andy Warhol, Howard Terpning and the Taos Artists.

Now, add H. David Wright to those masters whose art is displayed in the museum. At the show's award ceremonies, his painting, Uninvited Visitors, was selected as the Harrison Eiteljorg Purchase Award winner. That coveted honor is given to the painting the Museum would most like to add to its permanent collection. For the next year, Wright's compelling scene will be located in a prominent entry site in the Museum. Thereafter, it will be displayed with the other great masterpieces.

The 48" x 23" oil on panel painting depicts a tense moment when Indians ride into a small camp encountering two hunters. The moment of angst is palpable, but the artist does not commit dramatically, leaving the ensuing events undetermined. This brings the viewer into the subject matter in a compelling way.

"I enjoy telling stories with my paintings," observed the artist, "yet, at the same time, I like to leave something for the viewer to ponder." As the Indians approach in Uninvited Visitors, Wright allows the viewer into the scene to consider if the encounter will be good or bad for the two hunters. Wright adds, "So that the drama is not too intense, I introduce elements into the composition to soften the overall mood. For example, the distance between the parties becomes telling and the falling snow diminishes any harshness."

The "Quest for the West" show opened to the public on September 7th and will run through October 7. The Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art is located at 500 West Washington Street, Indianapolis, Indiana. Website: Eiteljorg.org

Wright's paintings now hang in the permanent collections of four great museums and countless corporate and private collections. He continues to reside with his wife, Jane, in Gallatin, Tennessee.

Welcome to the website DAVID WRIGHT ART. As the premier artist of the American frontier, David Wright's paintings depict historical subjects with deeply researched accuracy and detail. They capture the epic day-to-day struggles of Colonial frontiersmen and longhunters, of settlers and hunters, mountain men and fur traders, Plains and Woodland Indians. The humanity of the Native American as art subject and participant in history reaches the highest level. His Civil War art depicts military leaders and common Confederate foot soldiers during the dark days of the War Between the States. Wright's paintings of early American hunting scenes, those of the Sporting Art genre, have also been highly acclaimed. Let's take a look...