Original Painting “Navajo Corn Grinder” [SOLD]

Andy Tsihnahjinnie was one of the most versatile of all Southwestern Indian artists. He went through many moods, solidifying a style momentarily then turning to something new and utterly different. His subject matter stayed faithful to his heritage even as his style changed. He was chameleon-like in his ability to change and adapt. He is recognized as one of the finest of 20th-century Navajo artists. Tanner, 1973

Andy Tsihnahjinnie was born near Chinle, Arizona, in 1916. He attended elementary school at the Indian School at Fort Apache, but ran away and returned back to the reservation. He then attended school in Santa Fe and became a student of Dorothy Dunn at the Santa Fe Indian School. He was an avid student and was known to have stayed in the studio painting until forced to return to the dormitory. Following his graduation he went to work as an illustrator for the Indian Service. Dunn, 1968

Tsihnahjinnie specialized in painting typical daily chores of the Navajo.  In this painting, he shows a woman, dressed in her finest, grinding corn on a metate using a mano.  In typical Indian School style, there is no background to interfere with the main subject.  There are just the essentials to complete the theme.

Condition: appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame

Provenance: from a family living in Santa Fe

References:

American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas by Dorothy Dunn

Southwest Indian Painting: A Changing Art by Clara Lee Tanner