Jack Malotte, left, pictured with Marie Nygren, is currently exhibiting his artwork at the Western Nevada College Fallon campus. He is with his with his painting ‘Fighting Hummingbirds.’
It was June 2019. In my hand I held an art exhibit announcement from the Nevada Museum of Art. The front piqued my interest, a drawing using colored pencil, ink, and acrylics. It showed a craggy mountain, its horizontal desert hued lines flowing downward depicting shadows, clouds bubbling over the peaks and an eagle soaring high in the thermals.
Feathers from the bird fluttering downward were in the foreground. An illuminated celestial body hung in the upper corner.
The artist? Jack Malotte, from Duckwater. I attended his show at the museum and was amazed at the years of sketching journals displayed, the excellence of his compositions, and his ability to project his social and political viewpoints through his work. Jack works endlessly to protect and preserve the environment of the land of his people, Western Shoshone and Washoe. His art speaks for justice and rights.
We are honored to have his current exhibit at the Western Nevada College Fallon gallery until July 29, where from 3-5 p.m. there will be a closing reception for Jack. The community is invited to attend and support the artist and our local college.
Searching the topic “Jack Malotte” on the web led to some discoveries. His work is part of collections and permanent displays from Europe to the Smithsonian to rural galleries in Nevada.
I am the gallery director on the Fallon campus of Western Nevada College and it is my privilege to invite artists to share their work. Thus far, the focus has been on artists that live in or have been involved in our community. However, Jack Malotte’s art kept resurfacing in my mind, and I kept thinking how wonderful it would be to showcase his incredible talent.
I gathered the courage to call him and explained my desire. He was most cordial and said he would consider the offer. I phoned again and asked about traveling to visit his studio. He agreed.
The following day I made the almost three-hour trek to Duckwater. About 40 minutes southeast of Eureka is a desert drive that shows the quiet, endless scope of space, filled with majestic light, abundant clouds, subtle colors, and the surprise of wildlife. My afternoon was spent perusing canvases and journals, framed or matted drawings, paintings, draftings, and silk screenings — such glorious art.
The spirit of Jack Malotte, is born from his connection with the earth and animals, evident in his work, along with a unique use of pattern and geometric shapes. He loves his isolation, and having solitary time, with no distractions from his daily creative processes. Jack shared his journey into the art world and his amazing diversity of experiences. He is a soft-spoken, humble man, witty and kind, quick to laugh and tell a story. I was a captive audience. Jack committed to exhibiting his paintings.
