#000 • Rie Muñoz (1921-2015)

Part of The Works of Rie Muñoz Art Auction (timed auction by Alaska Premier Auctions & Appraisals)

Status: No sale

Born Rie Mounier in Van Nuys, California on August 17, 1921, Rie Muñoz became one of the most beloved and recognizable artists in Alaska history. Her lifelong connection to Alaska began unexpectedly in 1951, when at the age of 29 she traveled north on a spontaneous steamship vacation. Upon arriving in Juneau, she immediately fell in love with the culture, scenery, and spirit of the Territory, ultimately deciding this was where she wanted to spend the rest of her life. She did exactly that, becoming deeply woven into the artistic and cultural identity of Alaska for more than six decades. Throughout her life, Muñoz worked in many capacities including teacher, journalist, museum curator, cartoonist, illustrator, and artist, all while raising a family and remaining closely connected to the communities she encountered across the State. Her travels throughout Alaska, particularly to remote villages and coastal communities, greatly shaped both her artistic style and subject matter. Rie studied art at Washington and Lee University in Virginia as well as the University of Alaska-Juneau. Over the course of her distinguished career, she received numerous honors and awards, including the University of Alaska’s Honorary Doctorate of Humanities Degree in 1999 in recognition of her cultural contributions to Alaska. Muñoz’s artwork became celebrated for its warmth, humor, and instantly recognizable style. Working primarily in watercolor, she developed a distinctive visual language filled with bright colors, expressive forms, and scenes depicting the daily lives of Alaskans. Her works often portrayed children at play, village gatherings, musicians, fishermen, dancers, and subsistence activities, capturing ordinary moments with charm, personality, and humanity. Few artists have so successfully captured both the uniqueness and spirit of Alaska’s people and communities. In addition to her original watercolor paintings, Muñoz produced an extensive body of lithographs and serigraphs (silkscreens), helping make her artwork accessible to collectors throughout Alaska and beyond. Her creative work also extended into other mediums including linocuts, stencils, soapstone, illustrated publications, and fine Aubusson tapestries. Over the course of her career, she published more than 500 individual images, many of which remain highly sought after today. Her works are represented in private and institutional collections throughout Alaska, the continental United States, Canada, and internationally. This auction presents a rare opportunity to view and acquire works spanning much of Rie Muñoz’s artistic career. The catalog has been intentionally arranged in approximate chronological order of production, allowing collectors to observe the evolution of her style, subject matter, and artistic approach across decades of work. From earlier compositions through many of her later iconic images, the sale reflects both the depth of her career and her enduring connection to Alaska and its people. The auction concludes with selections from Rie’s personal collection including ivory carvings, dolls, and other pieces of Alaskana, many acquired during her time spent around King Island communities, offering an additional glimpse into the influences and experiences that shaped her life and work. Rie Muñoz passed away in Juneau, Alaska on April 6, 2015 at the age of 93. Her legacy continues through an extraordinary body of work that remains deeply tied to the people, culture, and everyday life of Alaska.