Robert Freeman, Native American Artist 

By Heather Petrek, Arts & Education Editor


Using his talent to inform, educate and inspire his audiences, artist Robert Freeman paints, sculpts and draws Native American subjects that depict realism and lifestyle of the present day. “I decided to paint ladies hanging clothes or men sitting around drinking beer or playing softball…” says Freeman, “because nobody had seen it before. Most peoples’ ideas of Indians had come from motion pictures. Indians had spears and arrows.” His goal was to portray a more diverse view of American Indians. He needed a way to get his message across. “In the nineteen sixties I started doing social commentaries of Native Americans through drawings that were published in newspapers and magazines,” says Freeman. Soon galleries became interested in his work, and writers and the television industry began contacting him. Now Freeman’s work is displayed all over the world in galleries including those in Germany, Japan, Hawaii, the Smithsonian in Washington D.C., and many other galleries and public places throughout the United States.


Freeman’s career has produced thousands of pieces – paintings, sculptures, drawings and murals. His mural of the history of San Gabriel can be viewed at the Los Angeles County Library. “Last year I was the first artist to have an exhibit of paintings at Alcatraz Island,” says Freeman. “It is great to have work at the state parks where tourists can view the art.” Among the prestigious venues that exhibit his work, Freeman has shown in St. Patrick’s Cathedral; the Vatican bought two of his paintings for a collection there, and three years ago he was the artist in residence at the University of San Diego. His sculpture of Corona, the first female Native American to be honored in such a way in California, is displayed on the campus of Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano. Yet another credential is that Freeman is one of six artists who designed the California Quarter for the U.S. Mint.


Robert Freeman created the California Indian Commemorative Seal that is located at the West Steps of the state capitol building. He was chosen from a large group of potential artists. In 1998 the California Legislature created the Commemorative Seals Advisory Committee, chaired by Larry Myers, and authorized it to develop the seals that would celebrate and recognize the value California places on the contributions of generations of California Indians. Made of bronze and filled with cultural and artistic details, the images on the seal honors both current and past contributions of California Indians. The commemorative seal is a testament to the collaboration of many cultural heritages that still exist in California today, a diversity that makes our state great.


Robert Freeman was born on the Rincon reservation near Valley Center and has been a San Marcos resident for forty years. A full time artist since 1967, he attended Palomar College from 1974-1976, and taught art classes as an adjunct faculty member for sixteen years. “A lot of my art career has been what I have learned through experimentation,” says Freeman. “I started playing with color and perspective, and having objects depicted partially on the canvas as if they were moving out of view. I found out it was limitless.”


Currently, Freeman’s big project is a commission by California State University at San Marcos. The project will consist of two works, a bronze sculpture of a Tuk-wat Cougar, which will be displayed in the courtyard on the third floor of the campus, and an abstract sculpture that will stand in the lawn area outside the library.


Freeman also sits on the board of the San Marcos Historical Society and is anticipating using his insight to uplift and educate even more people. “I hope to schedule events and have work displayed that reflects the local Indian population,” says Freeman.


If there is one thing Freeman would like his public to know, it’s that he is an advocate for the working class people. “I came out of poverty,” said Freeman. “There is still a large segment of America that is poor. I have been able to see disadvantages of being poor, and have really been a political activist all my life for the rights of the working class.” NC


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Photography by Dan Clement

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