Artist Spotlight: Doug Hyde

Influenced by the stories and folktales from his Native culture, Doug Hyde is a master sculptor who uses the imagery of his upbringing to shape his influential sculptures. Hyde, who descends from Nez Perce, Assiniboine, and Chippewa heritage, has enjoyed a tremendous artistic career spanning decades. Over the years, he’s worked alongside famed artists such as Allan Houser, Fritz Scholder and T.C. Cannon; earning a reputation for creating deeply nostalgic and symbolic works.

Visit us for an exclusive Doug Hyde showcase, “Doug Hyde: Collection of Unique Stone Sculptures” at Nedra Matteucci Galleries running August 12 - Sept. 2, 2023.

Doug Hyde - “Day Break Star”, marble, 23 ½” x 11” x 9”

In the early days of his career, Hyde attended the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe and later the San Francisco Art Institute. Soon after, he enlisted in the Vietnam War where he eventually received his discharge following a grenade blast that nearly killed him.This experience continues to have a profound effect on his work.

Doug Hyde - “Bachelor With Gifts”, pink Portuguese marble, 13” x 15” x 13”

Doug Hyde - “Spring and Autumn”, bronze, 22 ½ x 10 x 7 ½”

Upon his return he took a job at a friend’s tombstone business. At night, he would work on his own sculptures, carving the stone with the same skills he acquired during the day. After entering these sculptures into a show, he realized that he could pursue life as an artist when every one of his pieces sold. 

Doug Hyde - “Summer Camp at Monavi Springs”, Tennessee marble and limestone, 67 ½ x 25 x 20”

Doug Hyde - “Expectations”, pink Portugese marble, 91 x 32 ½ x  27 ¼”

Hyde has produced works in a variety of different mediums such as marble, alabaster, onyx, limestone and bronze. Though carving stone is his primary medium, his work has evolved in even greater diversity through his bronzes, a relatively new medium for Hyde.

Doug Hyde - “Crisita”, bronze, 80 x 33 x 26” 

In 1997, Hyde’s works were featured in an exhibition of Native American sculpture at the White House. In 2008, his bronze, “Little Turtle”, was purchased for the permanent collection of the Smithsonian’s Cultural Resource Center. On top of his many prestigious awards and grants, Hyde still finds time to mentor other Native American artists. Today, his emotionally and spiritually rich sculptures continue to impress and pave the way for future generations of artists.

The pieces shown here and a number of other original Doug Hyde sculptures are available at Nedra Matteucci Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. For questions about the art or the Gallery, please contact inquiry@matteucci.com or call 505-982-4631.

 Sources: Forbes, Eiteljorg Museum, Mark Sublette Medicine Man Gallery, Southwest Art