SWAIA Award Winning Painting by Anthony Chee Emerson

This captivating painting, Saturday Night at the Trading Post, by Diné artist Anthony Chee Emerson, beautifully captures the warmth of a lively Saturday night gathering. A playful multi-figure dance scene unfolds against the backdrop of a traditional trading post, complete with a stylized wood floor, timber ceiling, and walls adorned with blankets, concho belts, and pots and pans. The details bring the setting to life, immersing the viewer in a nostalgic yet dynamic celebration of community and tradition.

In the foreground, line dancers exchange gestures, their movement full of rhythm and connection. One woman in a striking red shirt hesitates to take a stranger's hand, adding a moment of storytelling within the larger dance. Over a dozen couples move in harmony, embodying the joy and camaraderie of the evening.

This outstanding work was recognized with a Third Place Award at the 2004 Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) Santa Fe Indian Market, a testament to Emerson's talent and unique artistic vision.  The award ribbon is included with this painting. Beautifully framed and matted with acid-free backing, the painting is preserved in a way that honors its significance.

Anthony Chee Emerson, born in 1963 in the Four Corners area of New Mexico, is a self-taught artist whose work blends traditional Navajo cultural values with a modernist approach. His paintings reflect the essence of Diné life, emphasizing family, tradition, and the beauty of everyday moments. A dedicated artist since 1982, he has exhibited at the Santa Fe Indian Market and Gallup Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial annually. Today, he continues to create from his home in Farmington, New Mexico.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: This SWAIA Award Winning Painting by Anthony Chee Emerson is from a collector in Santa Fe.

Recommended Reading: NAVAJO PAINTING by Katherin Chase

TAGS: Diné (Navajo), Paintings, Anthony Chee Emerson, SWIA