The Indah Gallery, located within the Roblar Winery complex near Santa Ynez, is hosting a solo exhibition titled "Many Roads" by Native American artist Mitchell Robles. The show features works such as the large triptych "Thunder Mountain," along with pieces like "Little Thunder Horse," "Leaping Brown Horse," and "Sitting Bull," which blend ancient indigenous iconography with contemporary neo-Expressionist techniques. Gallerist and founder Max Gleason, himself an artist, has transformed a former barn into a dedicated art space that provides a serene setting for Robles's culturally resonant work.
The exhibition matters because it highlights the ongoing dialogue between Native American heritage and contemporary fine art, offering a platform for indigenous perspectives in a region historically tied to Chumash culture. By presenting Robles's respectful yet innovative interpretations of ancestral symbols—such as pictographs, warrior imagery, and crow motifs—the show contributes to broader conversations about cultural preservation and artistic evolution. It also underscores the role of small, independent galleries like Indah in fostering meaningful, site-specific art experiences outside major urban centers.