Shonto Begay Painting Titled Family Picnic 2001

Family Picnic (2001) by Shonto Begay is an intricately detailed celebration of community and kinship. The painting features sixteen figures gathered around a picnic table overflowing with food. Though no distinct light source is visible, the table itself seems to glow, radiating warmth and drawing the viewer's attention to the shared abundance.

True to Begay's signature style, the scene is filled with small, thoughtful details that reward careful observation. One such detail is the inscription on the back of a chair in the foreground, which reads "Property Shonto Chapter." These quiet elements anchor the painting in a specific place and moment, while also deepening its emotional resonance.

The composition reflects Begay's deep ties to family and tradition, themes that have consistently shaped his artistic voice. Since turning to professional painting in 1983, Begay has exhibited widely at respected institutions including the Wheelwright Museum, the Museum of Northern Arizona, and the Heard Museum. With Family Picnic, he invites the viewer into a joyful, intimate gathering with a powerful sense of belonging.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This Shonto Begay Painting Titled Family Picnic 2001 is from a collector in Albuquerque.

Recommended Reading: Shonto Begay - His Life and Work by Hanna Lieff, 2004

TAGS: drawing, painting, Diné of the Navajo Nation, Shonto Begay