R.C. Gorman dies after lengthy illness

This photo of Gorman was taken in his gallery in 2002.
Photograph by Rick Romancito.

By Rick Romancito and Virginia Clark, The Taos News

Nov. 3 - 2:05 p.m.
Taos artist R.C. Gorman, age 74, died today (Nov. 3) at about 12:20 p.m. at University of New Mexico Hospital in Albuquerque.

Gorman was remembered "as a great spokesman for New Mexico and the Navajo nation and for artists around the world,” New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson said.

His art was an indelible presence on the Taos scene, and internationally he was known as one of the foremost Native artists working today.

Gorman, who owned the Navajo Gallery on Ledoux Street, was being treated for a bacterial blood infection that proved to be highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. Consequently the infection resulted in multiple complications including pneumonia.

Gorman appeared to be doing well last August during his annual pre- Santa Fe Indian Market gallery party in Taos, where he debuted a new lithograph and new painting. Both received positive attention from international collectors who attend the event.

Richardson referred to Gorman as "a giant in the arts ... He was a dear friend, who will be sorely missed. I spent many an evening at his home with him. I always stayed there when I came for the Taos parade or campaign events. I will very, very sorely miss him. He was not only a giant in the arts, but as a human being.”

He was born Rudolph Carl Gorman, the son of Carl Gorman, who also was a famed Navajo painter and member of the World War Code Talkers and Mrs. Adelle Katherine Brown. He was born July 26, 1931 in Chinle, Ariz.