The Plain of Smokes

In the late 1970s, poet and environmental activist Harvey Mudd crossed paths with West coast “LA Gang” artist and noted ceramist Ken Price in Taos. Both native Angelinos had recently relocated to the high-desert enclave of northern New Mexico. Shortly after, Mudd and Price began work on an homage – and a mourning of loss – to the city that shaped them both.

Drawn to Price’s unique southern California style of drawing, Mudd asked Price to illustrate a section of his poem cycle. From 1978-1980, Price and Mudd exchanged ideas, edits and reminiscences both on the content of the poetry and the illustrations. The resulting portfolio of The Plain of Smokes evolved, becoming a true artist-poet collaboration.

Published by Arabesque Books in 1981, The Plain of Smokes is a 75-page book of poetry by Mudd with illustrations by Price. Price’s signature bold lines and nearly grotesque, provocative forms are accompanied by the biting text of Harvey Mudd’s poetry. Together, the prints and the poetry create a neo-noir portrait of the city of Los Angeles told across time and space — through the looking glass of Taos.

The New Mexico Museum of Art is privileged to own one edition of only 26 copies of The Plain of Smokes printed by SOMA Fine Art Press in San Francisco by master printer Gary Lichtenstein. This exhibition will feature the 26 prints from the Plain of Smokes, as well as the portfolio box and printed manuscript of poems alongside ceramic works by Ken Price.