I am Native American and I am an artist, when you put the two together, it seems to mean an entirely different thing. When someone thinks, Native American art, a cliché pops into their head. Art made by Native Americans is seen as a generic picture of an Indian princess, wolf and a teepee. I want to show there are subjects beyond the cliché’ teepee and loincloth. As an artist I want to explore and grow.
I was seven years old; we were on our way to my grandmother’s house, in Gray Mountain Arizona, I turned and asked my parents when we would see some “Indians.” I knew we were Navajo, but I wanted to see “Indians.” My family laughed, but again I asked the question. Where do they live? My parents both turned to each other and pointed out to the Colorado plateau. I refused their answer because that is where my Grandmother lived and I was familiar with the area. I snapped back aggravated and replied. Where are the Indians, you know with the teepees, horses and feathers? My family laughed even more.
« Back to Artists
