November 2019 THE INDIAN TRADER
Page 10
Redwing Nez
A Diné Renaissance Man and Artist of Many Talents By Tom Surface
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Redwing’s latest work, “Light Within Men”
Renowned artist, traditional Diné sandpainter, author, conservationist, and even movie actor, Redwing Ted Nez is an individual of many talents. An artist with wide-ranging skills and well known for his traditional paintings, murals and illustrations, he is also noted for his contemporary oil and acrylic paintings. Born in 1960 and raised on the Navajo reservation in northern Arizona, he trained as a traditional sandpainter. His paternal grandfather was a “healer” and as a 9-year-old, Redwing was called on to help with drawing sandpaintings on the ground for various traditional Diné ceremonies. PAINTING FOR TRADING It was the Bita Hochee Trading Post operator in the mid-1960s that set a very young Redwing on his path as an artist. “The trading post had a shiny toy pistol that I really wanted. So speaking in Navajo, the old trader offered to trade for the toy pistol if I made a weaving. I soon realized I could not weave, so I started drawing. The trader worked with me and suggested new colors and symbols,” he explained. The deal was finally made and he got his pistol. But it was his maternal grandmother who opened his eyes to the beauty of painting and colors. “My grandma had a book of Renaissance artists and their colorful paintings. And our preacher also had a gold covered book with paintings that I would look at. I then went to work
NATIVE AMERICAN
INDIAN & WESTERN ART SHOW
For additional information contact: Lyle Anderson. 314-229-6967
November 2 & 3, 2019 Saturday 10:00am-5:00pm Sunday 10:00am-3:00pm Gateway Center One Gateway Drive - Collinsville, IL 62234
$5 Admission $25 Early Admission 9 am Saturday
Sponsored by and formerly: Gateway Indian & Western Art Show & Sale Rugs - Pottery - Baskets - Jewelry - Kachinas Beadwork - Clothing - Weapons
Representative of material you can expect at the show.
