Three Contemporary Navajo Artists
In my unit, I will spotlight one of the most established artists: Shonto Begay from Kayenta, AZ. What makes Shonto Begay unique is that he is an author, poet, illustrator, fine artist, and above all, he is a born storyteller. His specialty is large, vibrant, true to life and surrealistic acrylic paintings. As a professional artist, he has had over 50 art shows in various galleries and museums across the United States.
His art pieces build bridges through the arts and cultural stories. He finds value and meaning in ordinary life and shared experiences. Some pieces portray sentimental and homey life. Others are a little darker and can invoke feelings of uneasiness, yet he does not want to portray his culture and people as victims. He wants his art to start a dialogue between artist and viewer. When he does speaking events, he shares his personal experiences as a way to celebrate Navajo history. He draws upon his culture to create his artwork.
I will also focus on Ryan Singer, a contemporary artist who specializes in “vibrant pop art on contemporary and historical Native American and popular culture.” He credits his uncle, painter Ed Singer, and pop-culture as inspiration for his art. His interest in art was further expanded by studying western arts, Shonto Begay, Bahe Whitehorne, and Salvador Dali. His art is influenced by pop culture and elements of Navajo culture. Singer was always fascinated by his uncle’s abilities by pushing boundaries of traditional realist art. He often distorted figures and incorporating cartoon–like elements into his artwork. Since he was a toddler, he was constantly surrounded by pop-culture in the form of comic book heroes, science fiction classic horror movies, heavy-metal album covers, and toys he used to play with as a child. Although these items are not Navajo – they still serve as a reminder of his childhood. His artwork symbolizes the many stages in understanding his identity and place in the world as a Native American and American.
Two of Singer’s most notable art pieces are Wagon Burner and Sheep is Good Food. Wagon-Burner depicts a burning covered wagon behind a yellow sign. His most famous work is Sheep is Good Food, which is a tribute to Andy Warhol’s iconic Campbell Soup can. Sheep is Good Food takes the iconic soup can screen print with a Navajo twist. The can of soup is turned into a can of mutton stew. Instead of the Campbell soup seal, Singer replaced it with a sheep being lassoed. The importance of this artwork is that Campbell Soup and mutton represents survival in the world today where many Navajos live below poverty level. When funding becomes scarce, Navajos can always rely on their sheep to provide mutton or purchase inexpensive cans of soup.
Singer cofounded Native Artists for Hope, which was organized in response to an outbreak of youth suicide in a small community on the reservation. He and other artists contribute to the community to offer mentoring, workshops and provide the youth empowerment through artistic expressions. His other projects include serving as art juror, art handler, graphic designer, and mentor.
Finally, I will include in my unit Navajo painter and print maker Ronald Chee. Although he did not grow up on the Navajo Reservation surrounded by Navajo culture, he is able to make connections to his culture. He specializes in monotype print making because it allows for him to modify his work as his work progresses. Because he lives in an urban environment in Costa Mesa, California, he is able to utilize materials that make his Contemporary art unique. He is best known for relating current events to traditional Native American subject matter in his art.
When Chee was only 2 years old, he was given up by his parents to be raised in a church-sponsored-institute for Navajo children. The purpose of his home was to prevent him from learning and practicing his culture. It wasn’t until his Junior year in high school that a foster family from Texas allowed him to explore his Navajo culture. In 1987, he was finally able to reconnect with his biological family. Once he made connections with his origins, he was able to reconnect with his culture.
Most of Chee’s work explores the spiritual world of Ye’ii, Navajo sacred spiritual deity. Chee learned the concept of Ye’ii by participating in traditional sweat lodges and oral teachings. The Navajos believe that people are connected to all living beings in spiritual and physical worlds. The Ye’ii represents the environment that we must share and preserve with the animals. In his most of his artwork, Chee interprets the Ye’ii as abstract imprints of the environment.
Comments: