Corralling a Donkey by Andy Tsihnahjinnie

Vibrant Artistry of Andy Tsihnahjinnie

This painting by Andy Tsihnahjinnie is a dynamic one, featuring a Native American young man on horseback corralling a donkey with his two horses amidst a field of brush and vegetation. The artwork is minimalist, with a stark white background and unambiguous coloration of each animal. The horse ridden by the young man is depicted in blue, while the other horse is a deep red and the donkey, brown.

The Native American man, likely a Diné of the Navajo Nation, as portrayed by Tsihnahjinnie, boasts a muscular physique and sports long, flowing black hair that cascades from beneath his feathered headdress. His minimal attire suggests that the scene unfolds on a sweltering desert day, reminiscent of Tsihnahjinnie's homeland.

The painting, encased in an elegant brown wooden frame with a contrasting red mat, bears Tsihnahjinnie's signature nestled amidst the shrubbery, seamlessly blending with the background. This striking piece is emblematic of Tsihnahjinnie's versatile artistic style.

Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie, born near Chinle, Arizona (Rough Rock) in November 1916, had been nurturing his artistic talent since childhood. His educational journey led him from the Indian School at Fort Apache to the Santa Fe Indian School, where he became a student of Dorothy Dunn. Known for his dedication, Tsihnahjinnie often remained in the studio painting until compelled to return to the dormitory. Post-graduation, he served as an illustrator for the Indian Service. Despite a serious illness in 1977 that limited his painting and teaching, Tsihnahjinnie maintained his passion for traditional ways. His upbringing, filled with experiences of herding sheep and riding horses, heavily influenced his artistic themes. Tsihnahjinnie, husband to Minnie McGirt and father to seven children, was the subject of a video by Kathy Flynn, Executive Director of the National New Deal Preservation Association and the New Mexico Chapter of the NNDPA, filmed on October 9th, 2000, shortly before his passing.

Condition: Very good condition

Provenance: this painting of a Lassoing a Donkey by Andy Tsihnahjinnie is from a private collection of a Colorado resident

Reference: Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art, Clara Lee Tanner

TAGS: Navajo, Apache, Santa Fe, Dorothy Dunn, painting, Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie