Vintage Original Navajo Sand Painting Signed JOE BEN JR New Mexico For Sale

This was from an estate of an old collector in Long Beach CA. He had over 150 interesting Native American items. You can see the measurements in the photos. There are what looks to be small spots but I don\'t know if they where original to the piece. It is signed on the back by the artist Joe Ben Jr., his bio below.

Joe Ben, JR
Native American Navajo Artist

Joe Ben Jr. combines his reservation training with international teaching experience to create exceptional sandpaintings. Even the finest details are created by applying the just the right amount of pulverized pigment from between his curved index finger and thumb to a neutral base of sand below. The degree of control exercised in his movement and distribution of the pigments determines the lines, shapes and effects created. Hand gestures, that mimic the distribution of corn meal in prayer, result in color blending that is just short of miraculous.

Joe Ben\'s sandpaintings are distinguished by their intensity of color created by using natural materials from throughout the world rather than commercial sands pigmented with color. Lapis (blue) from Afghanistan, diamond(sparkle) from Australia, Galena (silver sparkle) from Morocco, coal (black) from the four corners, gypsum (white) from Cuba, New Mexico, red and gold ochre from the south of France, Azurite and chrysocolla (blue green) from southern Arizona, and a myriad of other greens, browns and reds found on the Hopi and Navajo reservation near his homeland are some of the materials Joe uses in his vibrant paintings.

Sandpainting exemplifies Navajo principals of balance and order. Complimentary paring represents balance between earth and sky, male and female, dusk and dawn, air and water. The symmetry of Joe\'s sandpaintings focus attention on those fundamental principals of balance, bringing to the viewer a true sense of order in both the physical and spiritual worlds.

Artist Statement:

I aspire to bring the art of the Navajo to the western world. Using forces stored in natural materials such as gold, lapis, azurite, and diamond, Interpret the forces of nature as a contemporary expression of man\'s place in relationship to the universe.

Selected Awards:

Indian Market, Santa Fe, NM
First, Second, or Third Prizes, 1990-1996, 1984-1988
Best of Division, 1985, 1994, 1996
Special Award for Excellence in Traditional Art, 1993
Gallup Intertribal Indian Ceremonial, Gallup, NM
First, Second, or Third Prizes, Sans Frontiers, Montpelier, France
Crow Canyon Archeological Center, Cortez, CO
Dzidl Asdlaa Olta, (Five Mountain College), Organizer/Director
Ecole des Beaux Arts Superior, Paris France, Guest Professor
The Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts, Idyllwild, CA
Museum of Man, San Diego, CA
Pine Hill School, Pine Hill, NM
The Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC
Southwestern Association on Indian Arts. Santa Fe, NM
Wheelwright Museum, Santa Fe, NM

Publications:

Imaging America - PBS Special
Imaging Arizona - PBS News Magazine
Mystery of the Senses - Vision, Nova PBS Special
American Indian Art Magazine
Beyond Tradition
Ecole des Beaux Arts
Enduring Traditions, Art of the Navajo
Magiciens de la Terre
Southwest Art Magazine
Arizona Highways
The New Mexican
Time Life Books

Education:

Ongoing training under Navajo medicine men, apprenticeship for Blessing Way and Enemy Way Navajo ceremonies

Please feel free to call me if youhave any questions,

This year marks 53 years in the antique and art business in the Los Angeles area and at one time Las Vegas and San Rafael,CA. Up until 2006 we had two large stores in Los Angeles, one was in Hancock Park on Larchmont Blvd and the other on Melrose. These days poor health has curtailed my yearly travels to Europe on buying trips. My time is spent searching leads and estate sales. My wife and I have held local estate sales for over 30 years and have a very competent staff which helps us.

My first love are paintings done in France,1900 to 1950. This is called the School of Paris which included artist from around the world who worked and studied in France. I have over 300 such paintings. Many are listed on the Ruby Lane site under our shop name, Larchmont Village Antiques. My wife\'s specialty is antique jewelry andhas been running our stores since 1981. Please watch my listing as we are buying great items daily. Always feel free to ask questions and I\'ll do my best to answer promptly.

SUBJECT TO PRIOR SALE, Since we operate an open store all items listed on are subject to prior sale.

SHIPPING FEES, All items shipped MUST be covered by insurance. Please don\'t pay till I send you an invoice.\'s calculations are wrong most of the time. I give you many examples of scary quotes by them. If you would like a quote before offerding please contact me.