Nie Yeer (Facing East)

Nie-yeer (Facing East), an oil pastel work by R.C. Gorman, depicts a reclining figure rendered with bold expressive color and fluid form. The composition features a Navajo woman lying on her side against a warm burnt sienna ground, her body swathed in flowing blue and purple fabrics that create rhythmic movement across the composition. The woman’s pose is relaxed and intimate, with her head resting gently on one arm. Gorman’s mastery of the oil pastel medium is evident in the rich color transitions and the soft modeling of the figure. The work captures a moment of private repose and gentle contemplation. A beautiful example of Gorman’s exploration of intimate domestic scenes.