Navajo Pottery Vase Carved Whale Design -Harrison Juan-Native American Southwest
Harrison Juan-Carved & Decorated Navajo Orca Vase / Southwest Native American Beautifully decorated vase by well-known Navajo artist, Harrison Juan (born 1953). Signed and dated by the artist, inscribed into the clay while wet, on the bottom : "Harrison Juan'96 Dineh" - and with his mark of a hat and sunglasses. HEIGHT : 8 1/4 Harrison Juan is mostly known for his carved and painted wood folk art figures of Navajo men and women, many wearing sunglasses (he himself is usually seen wearing a cowboy hat and large mirrored shades). During the 1990's he also made carved and painted pottery, which has become somewhat rare due to his small amount of production.
This vase is a great example of Harrison Juan's work in ceramics and features a wonderful painting of of a Killer Whale with incised details, a spiritual acknowledgement to his Athabascan Native American brothers and sisters of the Northwest Coast. CONDITION : Excellent condition with some very light wear.
No hairlines, chips, or restoration. NOTES / REFERENCES : Harrison Juan, Diné Navajo Nation, describes the inspiration for his innovative and distinctive current style as follows: I was at an art show and I saw myself in the sunglasses of a collector, and I got the idea of carving people wearing glasses like that. I could capture their likeness and place them in their environment all at one time. Juan is a nephew of folk art artist Johnson Antonio and remembers cutting wood for his uncle and running errands for him. It was his influence that was the motivation for Juan to start carving.
He works from cottonwood he finds along the creek beds of the San Juan River. It is his hope to work full time as an artist, but has found it necessary to work construction jobs as well. "I just try to keep it going, " the artist explains, showing the joys of reservation life and Navajo people at gatherings, ceremonies, and just the fun of friends being together at local posts. I carve the older people and show how they are dressed (wrapped in colorful trade blankets, sometimes called Pendleton's, and sporting their best jewelry). Many are wearing his signature sunglasses. Captured in their reflection are groups of neighbors and friends and perhaps a glimpse of clear Western skies and surrounding scenery of the reservation. This piece will be a quality addition to any collection of Native American Art Pottery and will display beautifully in any decor: Arts and Crafts, Art Deco, Americana, Folk Art, Southwest, Santa Fe - Taos Style, Eames Era, Shabby Chic, or Contemporary. This object comes from a smoke-free, pet-free environment. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Native American". The seller is "antiques-art" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Style: Native American
- Original/Reproduction: Original
- Material: Pottery
- Artisan: Harrison Juan
- Maker: Harrison Juan