Original Diné Painting titled “Spider Woman” [SOLD]

"Spider Woman" is an original painting by Diné artist David Chethlahe Paladin. We have handled many of Paladin's works over the years, and we are continually impressed by his creativity and versatility. Of the dozens of pieces that have passed through Adobe Gallery, "Spider Woman" is undoubtedly one of the strongest.

Spider Woman is one of the most significant figures in the Diné religion. She is a helper, teacher, and benefactor to the Diné people. The arts of weaving and agriculture are among the many skills she brought to her people. Here, she appears alongside a second figure, within an abstract composition. A sun appears above and to the left of the figures; a spider spins a web at their feet.

The painting is signed Chethlahe in lower right. It is mounted in a wood frame with a protective backing over the canvas.

David Chethlahe Paladin (1926-1984) was born on the Navajo Reservation in 1926 at Canyon de Chelly, Arizona. He served in the U. S. Army during WWII and was a prisoner of war for 2-½ years. He studied art at the Santa Fe Indian School and then at the California School of Fine Arts, where he studied under Marc Chagall and Mark Tobey. "Paladin gave credit to the influence of Mark Tobey, Morris Graves, and Marc Chagall for influencing him to abandon his early traditional style of painting and embark on a more contemporary style. While still a student, Paladin met Marc Chagall at an exhibition of the artist's work at the Chicago Art Institute. Chagall encouraged him to use his Diné heritage but not to illustrate anything; instead, he should listen to the story, dream it, and paint it. The influence of Mark Tobey and Morris Graves, whom he met in Portland, Oregon, led him to experiment with texture, mixing clay, sand, and mud, and adding them to his paintings." (Arizona Arts and Lifestyle, Spring 1980)

Paladin explored many styles and drew from a wide variety of influences during his productive career. He began with traditional imagery before expanding into more abstract territory. He also explored a wide variety of media. Paladin's images are often rooted in spiritual themes, incorporating traditional Native symbology with unique, personal, abstract imagery.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Original Diné Painting titled "Spider Woman" is from a private East Coast collection. Purchased from Cristof's Gallery in Santa Fe in 1982.

Recommended Reading: Painting the Dream: The Visionary Art of Navajo Painter David Chethlahe Paladin by David Chethlahe Paladin

TAGS:  Dorothy Dunn, Navajo Reservation, Native American Painting, David Chethlahe Paladin