Sacred Corn

Sacred Corn, a 1991 lithograph by R.C. Gorman, honors the agricultural heart of Southwest cultures through the figure of a woman seated beside corn in various stages of use and preservation. Ears hang from a wooden frame while others rest in a woven basket at her feet, creating a narrative of harvest, preparation, and sustenance. The adobe wall background and earth-toned palette ground the composition in place and tradition. Gorman’s careful attention to the woman’s posture and the textures of corn and basket demonstrate his reverence for everyday cultural practices. A significant work celebrating women’s roles in food security, artistry, and the continuation of indigenous knowledge.