Russell Sanchez, San Ildefonso Pueblo Artist

Award winning San Ildefonso Pueblo artist Russell Sanchez is unquestionably one of the most talented and creative of the current pueblo potters and painters. He was born July 29, 1966, at San Ildefonso Pueblo. He is the grandson of famous early San Ildefonso painter Abel Sanchez (1899-1971) Oqwa Pi - Kachina Stick. Russell's grandmother was sister to famous potter Rose Cata Gonzales (1900-1989).

Russell Sanchez (1966- ) could be referred to as a modernist potter and a traditionalist painter. His work shows influence from Tony Da and Popovi Da. He has incorporated different colors of clay into his work, often combining two or more colors in the same vessel. He inserts turquoise stones into some pieces, and inlays hieshe into others. He often adds a lid to a vessel. At times he adds micaceous slip to a piece of pottery. He is an innovator in the use of clay, slip, color, and vessel shape.

2017 Winner – New Mexico Governor’s Award for Excellence, a prestigious annual celebration of New Mexico’s diverse artist community.  This art award, presented annually since 1974, serves as lifetime achievement laurels for artists whose work has become part of the state’s aesthetic tapestry, as well as for scholars and benefactors who have helped sustain New Mexico’s vibrant cultural atmosphere.

2022 Winner - Best of Show for Santa Fe's Indian Market.

Reference: Pueblo Indian Pottery: 750 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

Images source: Adobe Gallery.

TAGS: Abel Sanchez, Rose Gonzales, Southwest Indian Pottery, San Ildefonso Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Tony Da, Popovi Da