Saturday, May 8, 2010

Voice of the Earth--A New Deal Art Legacy

This 1932 wall fresco was created by the New Deal Artist
Will Shuster (1863-1969) as part of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of New Mexico. Note the prominence of their squash blossom necklaces. The bottom dangle piece is called a naja derived from the Navajo word " Najahe", meaning cresant. Native American Indian silver based jewelry has permeated this region of the country since the Navajos were introduced to the art in the mid 1800's. I find the history as interesting as the art and I am grateful for its permanence and ongoing evolution of style.