Navajo (Diné) Folk Art Wood Carving “Lady in Yellow with Coke Can” [R]

Harrison Juan describes the inspiration for his innovative and distinctive current style as follows:  "I was at an art show and I saw myself in the sunglasses of a collector, and I got the idea of carving people wearing glasses like that.  I could capture their likeness and place them in their environment all at one time."

Juan is a nephew of folk art artist Johnson Antonio and remembers cutting wood for his uncle and running errands for him.  It was his influence that was the motivation for Juan to start carving.  He works from cottonwood he finds along the creek beds of the San Juan River.  It is his hope to work full time as an artist, but has found it necessary to work construction jobs as well.

"I just try to keep it going," the artist explains, "showing the joys of reservation life and Navajo people at gatherings, ceremonies, and just the fun of friends being together at local posts.  I carve the older people and show how they are dressed (wrapped in colorful trade blankets, sometimes called Pendleton's, and sporting their best jewelry)."  Many are wearing his signature sunglasses.  Captured in their reflection are groups of neighbors and friends and perhaps a glimpse of clear Western skies and surrounding scenery of the reservation.

This carving of a Navajo woman with her green pleated skirt and bright yellow blouse is shown holding a can of Coca Cola while in her sunglasses is a reflection of Pepsi.  She is wearing a concha belt, a two-strand turquoise nugget necklace and traditional moccasins.  The carving is signed by the artist on the underside and was completed in the 1980s.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from the collection of Jan and Chuck Rosenak.

Recommended Reading: Navajo Folk Art by Chuck and Jan Rosenak