R.C. Gorman

Internationally acclaimed artist R.C. Gorman died peacefully November 03, 2005 at 12:20 p.m. He was 74 years-old. Gorman was hospitalized for close to seven weeks undergoing treatment for a bacterial blood infection highly resistant to antibiotic treatment. The infection resulted in multiple complications including pneumonia, kidney failure and coma from which he never recovered. He was first hospitalized at the Holy Cross Hospital in Taos, and then transported to intensive care at UNM Hospital on September 24th. Gorman was known for his distinctive artistic expression of Navajo women through lithographs, original paintings, bronze sculptures and ceramics. He possessed a gregarious nature and was generous with his affection for family and friends. Although known as "R.C." or simply "Gorman" to the public, his parents Adelle Katherine Brown and Carl Nelson Gorman named him Rudolph Carl Gorman. He was raised by his mother and maternal grandmother, Zonnie Maria Brown at Black Mountain, Arizona. His brother and sisters agree that "R.C.'s spirit was unique. Zonnie Gorman, his youngest sister said, "He never lost touch with his Navajo soul. He never lost touch with his roots and that kept him very humble. His soul emanates in his work, whether it was a beautiful scene with mountains and canyons, women or whether it was a simple sketch. Although R.C. the man is no longer with us, his spirit will never die. R.C. is truly a role model for young Native Americans, who want to pursue art and even those who want to pursue business or any kind of dream. He showed that nothing is impossible for Native people and that we can do it on our own terms and say it in our own way. Many people remember our father, Carl Gorman mostly for being one of the original first 29 Navajo Code Talkers but he was also one of the early Indian artists to break away from what was called "Indian Art." In his own way, he opened a lot of doors for his son, R.C. In turn, R.C. has flung those doors wide open for current and future creative endeavors for Native people." Gorman was the oldest of five siblings who survive him they are: Don Mitchell from Chinle, Arizona; Donna Scott, from Chinle, Arizona; Shirley Beecher from Black Mountain, Arizona; Carla Anderson from Kaibeto, Arizona and Zonnie Gorman from Gallup, New Mexico. Rosary was recited on Sunday, November 06, 2005 at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. Funeral service was held on Monday, November 07, 2005 at the Sagebrush Inn Convention Center, 1508 South Santa Fe Road, in Taos, NM. Interment was near his home at Las Colonias, NM. A reception followed the interment. In lieu of flowers, donations to the R.C. Gorman (Scholarship) Foundation are welcome. Send inquiries or donations to R.C. Gorman Scholarship Fund, PO Box 127, Tsaile, AZ 86556.