Gilbert Benjamin Atencio, also calledWah Peen (English: Mountain of the Sacred Wind; 1930–1995), was aSan Ildefonso Pueblopainter,potter,medical Illustrator, andpolitician.^[1]

Atencio was born in 1930 inGreeley, Colorado. He was the daughter of Benjamin Atencio and painterIsabel Montoya, who was a cousin ofMaria Martinez. His brothersPat Atencio andTony Atencio were also artists,^[1] as were his sistersHelen Gutierrez andAngelita Sanchez.^[2]

He studied at the San Ildefonso Day School and then at theSanta Fe Indian School, graduating in 1947.^[3]

Known for his portraiture and portrayals of local ceremonies and customs, he has exhibited his work across the country.^[1][4] He was trained in the Studio style,^[5] and was initially interested in portraiture. An early success was his painting of his relatives Maria andJulian Martinez.^[6] His later work often broke from the Studio style and showed influence of self-taught painters likeFred Kabotie.^[7] His drawings often feature a number of figures, with apparel and features meticulously rendered.^[3] By the 1980s, Atencio also painted abstract or semi-abstract works.^[8]

Atencio served as Governor of the San Ildefonso Pueblo in 1966 to 1967. He worked for some years as a medical illustrator.^[3]

Atencio died on April 6, 1995, inAlbuquerque, New Mexico. Some of his works have been in the permanent collection of institutions including theMuseum of New Mexico, theNational Museum of the American Indian,^[9] theGilcrease Museum,^[10] and thePhilbrook Museum of Art.^[1][11]

Atencio's paintings were included the book,Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art (1957,University of Arizona Press) byClara Lee Tanner.

• Gilbert Atencio artworks at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian

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