Louis and Virginia Naranjo, Cochiti Pueblo Potters

Louis Naranjo (1932-1997) and Virginia Naranjo (1932-2014) were celebrated standard-bearers of Cochiti Pueblo's figurative pottery tradition. Working side-by-side almost daily at their kitchen table in their comfortable adobe home, the couple crafted their art surrounded by family, children, grandchildren, and the quiet rhythm of daily life. They brought meticulous care, warmth, and a playful spirit to their work, filling their long working hours with steady conversation, shared jokes, and community news.

Renowned for their delightful sense of humor and keen observational eye, Louis and Virginia created clay figures that bridged traditional culture and witty contemporary satire. Their diverse repertoire ranged from classic storytellers, nacimientos (nativity scenes), angels, padres, and Pueblo dancers to whimsical caricatures of camera-toting tourists in bikinis, mermaids, men in baseball caps, and Santa Claus. Through their joint devotion to their craft, the Naranjos not only built a fruitful life for their family but also established an enduring legacy in Native American art that continues to inspire.

Recommended Reading: There is an excellent article on Louis and Virginia Naranjo in Indians of New Mexico, edited by Richard C. Sandoval and Ree Sheck. Published by New Mexico Magazine, Santa Fe, 1990. ISBN 0-937206-16-4. It may be available from the publisher.

Reference: Southern Pueblo Pottery: 2,000 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf. 

TAGS: Louis Naranjo, Contemporary Pottery, Virginia Naranjo, Cochiti Pueblo