W. B. Franklin, Diné of the Navajo Nation Artist
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W.B. "Bill" Franklin (b. 1947) is a celebrated Diné (Navajo) contemporary artist whose work masterfully bridges traditional Native American symbolism with modern abstraction. Born on the Navajo Reservation in Ganado, Arizona, Franklin moved to San Francisco for high school before earning a degree in Sociology with a minor in Art from Northern Arizona University.
His career began in traditional silversmithing and jewelry design, but in 1977, he pivoted completely to canvas and paints, committing to painting full-time by 1986. Heavily inspired by the Diné spiritual philosophy of Hózhó ("The Beauty Way"), Franklin's vibrant acrylics, oils, and mixed-media collages frequently feature sacred Yei deities, geometric patterns, and ancestral figures. Over his decades-long career, Franklin has earned high critical acclaim, including being named the official poster artist for the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market in 1994, and winning Best of Show honors at the Museum of Northern Arizona.