Original Painting of a Full-Figure Yei [SOLD]

The Yei (pronounced yay) are the supernatural beings of the Diné.  They are often pictured today in Navajo textiles and fine art, but their original, and still current, presentation was in ceremonial healing sandpaintings.  Once the taboo was broken in the early 20^th century of presenting healing sandpaintings only in non-permanent form, other uses of the Yei figures developed.  Ceremonial healing sandpaintings must be destroyed after use and there was a time when this was the only manner in which the Yei figure was seen.  After the Yei was presented in woven textile form in the early 20^th century, its use became more common in items such as permanent sandpaintings made to sell to tourists.  Today, there are no restrictions against presenting the Yei in art form.

Tony Abeyta constantly reinvents himself in his art.  He paints in a variety of styles and presents a variety of subject matter, yet he always comes back to his Navajo roots and paints images of the Navajo Yei supernatural beings.  It is as if he breaks away and expresses himself in a creative manner in a variety of subjects, then returns to his artistic beginning.

This painting of a Yei is very traditional in style.  Once the Yei figure was complete, one can imagine Tony thinking it needed something else.  That something else was an explosion of red paint. A simple background color would not suffice.  He had to express his need for innovation.

Condition: original condition

Recommended Reading:  100 Artists of the Southwest by Douglas Bullis

Provenance: from a resident in Santa Fe