Original Painting of Large Social Gathering

This original painting was created by Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie, a Diné of the Navajo Nation painter who studied at the Santa Fe Indian School. Tsihnahjinnie created a uniquely expressive body of work that feels, in comparison to those of most of his peers, loose and unrestrained. He was not lacking in technical skill—we've seen many works that are quite detailed and refined—but rather, too interested in passionately exploring a variety of styles to master any one in particular.

Clara Lee Tanner described Tsihnahjinnie as "one of the most versatile of all Southwestern Indian artists . . . Originality is surely one of Tsihnahjinnie's chief characteristics—originality in subject matter and treatment thereof, and in color. His unconventional palette complements his delightful imagination in ever-new creations." [Tanner,1973:319]

This painting certainly lines up with Tanner's description of Tsihnahjinnie's strengths. It is a depiction of a large social gathering, with three separate card games happening on colorful Navajo textiles. A handful of spectators observe the gamblers, and three men on horseback watch from distant hills. In the foreground, two men nap. Further into the background, a hogan and three tall buttes appear.

The painting is signed in lower right. It is framed under brown matting in a thin black frame.

Andrew Van Tsihnahjinnie (1916 - 2000) was a Diné of the Navajo Nation painter who was born near Chinle, Arizona. He attended elementary school at the Indian School at Fort Apache but ran away and returned to the reservation. He then attended school in Santa Fe and became a student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School. He was an excellent student and was known to have stayed in the studio painting until being forced to return to the dormitory. Following his graduation, he went to work as an illustrator for the Indian Service. Tsihnahjinnie's works are included in many prominent public and private collections, and are published in most of the major texts which relate to Native painting. Tsihnahjinnie passed away in 2000.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Original Painting of Large Social Gathering is from a private collection

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

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