List of Native American artists explained

This is a list of visual artists who are Native Americans in the United States. The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 defines "Native American" as being enrolled in either federally recognized tribes or state recognized tribes or "an individual certified as an Indian artisan by an Indian Tribe."^[1] This does not include non-Native American artists using Native American themes. Additions to the list need to reference a recognized, documented source and specifically name tribal affiliation according to federal and state lists. Indigenous American artists outside the United States can be found at List of indigenous artists of the Americas.

Basket makers

Elsie Allen, Cloverdale Pomo
Annie Antone, Tohono O'odham
Mary Knight Benson, Pomo, (1877–1930)
William Ralganal Benson, Pomo, (1862–1937)
Carrie Bethel, Mono Lake Paiute
Susan Billy, Hopland Band Pomo
Mary Holiday Black, Navajo (ca. 1934–2022)
Loren Bommelyn, Smith River Tolowa
Nellie Charlie, Mono Lake Paiute
Chipeta, Uncompahgre Ute (c. 1843–1924)
Kelly Church, Gun Lake Potawatomi
Mike Dart, Cherokee Nation (born 1977)
Lena Frank Dick, Washoe (ca. 1889 - 1965)
Mavis Doering, Cherokee Nation (1929–2007)
Joe Feddersen, Okanagan/Sinixt (born 1953)
Iva Honyestewa, Hopi (born 1964)
Terrol Dew Johnson, Tohono O'odham
Yvonne Walker Keshick, Little Traverse Odawa (born 1946)
Louisa Keyser (Dat So La Lee), Washoe (c. 1829/1850–1925)
Mary Leaf, Mohawk (1925–2004)
Julia Marden, Aquinnah Wampanoag
Sarah Jim Mayo (1858–1918), Washoe
Mabel McKay, Pomo/Patwin (1907–1993)
Geo Soctomah Neptune, Passamaquoddy
Julia Parker, Coast Miwok/Kashaya Pomo (born 1929)
Essie Parrish, Kashaya Pomo (1902–1979)
Christine Navarro Paul, Chitimacha, (1874-1946)
Sheila Kanieson Ransom (b. 1954) Akwesasne
April Stone, Lake Superior Chippewa
Boeda Strand, Snohomish
Lucy Telles, Mono Lake Paiute/Miwok

Beadwork and quillwork artists

Ceramic artists and potters

Aguilar Family, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
Mrs. Ramos Aguilar, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
Tammie Allen (Walking Spirit), Jicarilla Apache
Nathan Begaye, Navajo, Hopi
Asuncion Aguilar Cate, Kewa Pueblo
Crucita Gonzales Calabaza (Blue Corn), San Ildefonso Pueblo
Marie Chino, Acoma
Vera Chino, Acoma
Helen Quintana Cordero, Cochiti Pueblo
Arthur and Hilda Coriz, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
Juanita Suazo Dubray, Taos Pueblo
Anthony Durand, Picuris Pueblo
Cora Durand, Picuris Pueblo (1902–1998)
Felipita Aguilar Garcia, Kewa Pueblo
Tammy Garcia, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1969)
Bill Glass Jr., Cherokee Nation
Rose Gonzales, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo
Luther Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo (1911–1987)
Margaret Gutierrez, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1936)
Laurencita Herrera, Cochiti Pueblo
- Daisy Hooee, Hopi-Tewa Lisa Holt, Cochiti Pueblo
Michael Kanteena, Laguna Pueblo
Lucy M. Lewis, Acoma Pueblo
Otellie Loloma, Hopi (1921–1993)
Joseph Lonewolf, Santa Clara Pueblo (1932–2014)
Julian Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1879–1943)
Maria Montoya Martinez (Poveka), San Ildefonso Pueblo (1887–1980)
Maria Ramita Martinez, Picuris Pueblo (1884–1969)
Grace Medicine Flower, Santa Clara Pueblo
Helen Naha ("Feather Woman"), Hopi (1922–1993)
Tyra Naha, Hopi
Priscilla Namingha Hopi-Tewa (1924–2008)
Nampeyo (Iris Nampeyo), Hopi-Tewa/Hopi (c. 1859–1942)
Elva Nampeyo, Hopi
Fannie Nampeyo, Hopi
Dextra Nampeyo Quotskuyva, Hopi-Tewa
Nora Naranjo Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo
Joy Navasie, Hopi-Tewa (1919–2012)
Inez Ortiz, Cochiti Pueblo
Al Qöyawayma, Hopi
Harlan Reano, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo)
Ida Redbird, Maricopa/Halchidhoma (1892–1971)
Jeri Redcorn, Caddo/Citizen Potawatomi, (born ca. 1940)
Diego Romero, Cochiti Pueblo
Ida Sahmie, Navajo
Linda and Merton Sisneros, Santa Clara Pueblo
Anita Suazo, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1937)
Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara Pueblo
Margaret Tafoya, (1904–2001) Santa Clara Pueblo
Sara Fina Tafoya, Santa Clara Pueblo, (1863–1949)
Leonidas Tapia, Ohkay Owingeh Pueblo
Robert Tenorio, Kewa Pueblo (Santo Domingo) (born 1950)
Mary Ellen Toya, Jemez Pueblo (1934–1990)
Faye Tso, Navajo (1933–2004)
Lonnie Vigil, Nambé Pueblo
Nathan Youngblood, Santa Clara Pueblo

Diverse cultural artists

David Moses Bridges (Passamaquoddy, 1962–2017), birchbark artist, canoe maker
Nora Thompson Dean (Touching Leaves Woman, Delaware), (1907–1984)
Ishi, Yahi (ca. 1860–1916), bowmaker and flintknapper
Vanessa Jennings, Kiowa/Kiowa Apache/Gila River Pima (born 1952)
Tomah Joseph (Passamaquoddy, 1837–1914), birchbark artist, canoe maker
Charles Littleleaf, Blackfoot/Warm Springs, flute maker
Tom Mauchahty-Ware, Kiowa-/Comanche, flute maker
Scarface Charley, Modoc (ca. 1851–1896), linguist and furniture-maker
Hastings Shade, Cherokee Nation, marble- and gig-maker
Tommy Wildcat, Cherokee Nation, flute and rattle maker

Fashion designers

Loren Aragon, Acoma Pueblo
Ardina Moore (born 1930), Quapaw/Osage
Lloyd Kiva New (1916–2002), Cherokee Nation
Bethany Yellowtail (born ~1987) Northern Cheyenne
Jamie Okuma (born 1977), Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock
Virgil Ortiz (born 1969), Cochiti Pueblo

Glass artists

Installation and new genres artists

Natalie Ball (born 1980), Klamath/Modoc
- Sarah Biscarra-Dilley, Northern Chumash Raven Chacon, Navajo Nation, (born 1977)
Corwin Clairmont, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation
Gerald Clarke, Cahuilla
Joe Feddersen, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation (Okanagan) (born 1953)
Nicholas Galanin, Tlingit/Unangax
Virgil Ortiz (born 1969), Cochiti Pueblo
Truman Lowe, Ho-Chunk (1944–2019)
Cannupa Hanska Luger (born 1979) Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara/Lakota
James Luna, Luiseño (1950–2018)
Da-ka-xeen Mehner, Tlingit/Nisga'a
Bently Spang, Northern Cheyenne, (born 1960)
Nora Naranjo Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1953)
Wendy Red Star, Apsáalooke (Crow) (born 1981)
Santiago X, Louisiana Coushatta, multidisplinary artist, architect
Charlene Teters, Spokane (born 1952)
Marie Watt, Seneca (born 1967)
Richard Ray Whitman, Yuchi/Muscogee
Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation/Cherokee, born 1968)

Metalsmiths and jewelers

Narciso Abeyta, Navajo (1918–1998)
Keri Ataumbi, Kiowa (born 1971)
Klee Benally, Navajo
Heidi BigKnife, Shawnee (born 1967)
Gail Bird, Kewa Pueblo-Laguna Pueblo
Gomeo Bobelu, Zuni (1964–2022)
Ben Nighthorse Campbell, Cheyenne
Della Casa Appa, Zuni (1889–1963)
Yazzie Johnson, Navajo
Fred Kabotie, Hopi
Michael Kabotie, Hopi
Charles Loloma, Hopi
Atsidi Sani, "Old Smith", Navajo (c. 1828–1918)
Emory Sekaquaptewa, Hopi
Sequoyah, Cherokee (c. 1767–1843)
Tommy Singer, Navajo
Orville Tsinnie, Diné (1943–2017)
Linda Yamane, Rumsien/Ohlone (born 1949)

Mixed-media artists

Melissa Melero-Moose (Northern Paiute/Modoc) mixed-media artist, curator

Painters

Jim Abeita, Navajo (born 1947)
Narciso Abeyta, Navajo (1918–1998
Arthur Amiotte, Oglala Lakota
Avelino Arquero, Cochiti Pueblo
Tirador Armstrong, Cheyenne/Caddo (1935–2010)
Spencer Asah (Lallo), Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (c. 1905–1954)
Gilbert Benjamin Atencio, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1930–1995)
Pat Atencio, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1932–2009)
Tony Atencio, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1928–1995)
James Auchiah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (1906–1974)
Frank Austin, Navajo (1938–2017)
Amos Bad Heart Bull (Tatanka Cante Sica), Oglala Lakota Sioux
Margarete Bagshaw, Santa Clara Pueblo-descent (1964–2015)
Rick Bartow, Wiyot (1946–2016)
Stanley Battese, Navajo (born 1936)
Fred Beaver (Eka La Nee), Muscogee Creek/Seminole (1911–1980)
Clifford Beck, Navajo (1946–1995)
Timothy Bedah, Navajo (1945–2017)
Apie Begay, Navajo (died 1936)
Arthur C. Begay, Navajo (1932–2010)
Harrison Begay (Haskay Yahne Yah), Navajo (1914/1917–2012)
Keats Begay, Navajo (1923–1987)
Black Hawk, Sans Arc Lakota (c. 1832–c. 1890)
Archie Blackowl (Mistamootova), Southern Cheyenne (1911–1992)
Acee Blue Eagle (Alex C. McIntosh, Chebon Ahbula), Muscogee Creek
Roy Boney Jr., Cherokee Nation
David Bradley, White Earth Ojibwe
Gibson Byrd, Shawnee Tribe (1923–2002)
T.C. Cannon (Pai-doung-u-day), Kiowa/Caddo
Pop Chalee (Merina Lujan), Taos Pueblo (1906–1993)
Robert Chee, Navajo (1937–1972)
Adele Collins, Chickasaw painter, (1908–1996)
Jesse Cornplanter, Seneca (1889–1957)
Woody Crumbo, Citizen Potawatomi (1912–1939)
David Cusick, Tuscarora (c. 1786–1831), painter and author
Dennis Cusick, Tuscarora (c. 1800–1824) painter
Talmadge Davis, Cherokee Nation (1962–2005)
Frank Day, Bald Rock Konkow Maidu (1902–1976)
Angel De Cora (Hinook-Mahiwi-Kilinaka), Winnebago (1871–1919)
Gregg Deal, Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe
Jim Denomie, Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwe (1955-2022)
Patrick DesJarlait Red Lake Ojibwe painter (1923–1973)
Cecil Dick (Dagadahga), Cherokee Nation (1915–1992)
Margaret Dillard, Chickasaw
Dohasan, Kiowa (ca. 1740s–1866)
Robert Draper, Navajo (1938–2000)
Bunky Echo-Hawk, Yakama/Pawnee (born 1975)
Joseph Erb, Cherokee Nation (born 1974)
Harry Fonseca, Maidu
Carl Nelson Gorman (Kin-Ya-Onny-Beyeh), Navajo (1907–1998)
R.C. Gorman, Navajo (1932–2005)
Franklin Gritts, Keetoowah Cherokee (1914–1996)
Enoch Kelly Haney, Seminole/Muscogee (1940–2022)
Helen Hardin (Tsa-Sah-Wee-Eh), Santa Clara Pueblo (1943–1984)
Albert Harjo, Muscogee Creek (1937–2019)
Benjamin Harjo Jr., Absentee Shawnee/Seminole (1945–2023)
Sharron Ahtone Harjo, Kiowa (born 1945)
Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds, Southern Cheyenne
Joan Hill (Cheasequah), Muscogee Creek/Cherokee (1930–2020)
Jack Hokeah, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (1902–1969)
Michael Horse, Apache/Yaqui-descent
Lynnette Haozous, Chiricahua Apache/Navajo/Taos Pueblo
Allan Houser (Haozous), Chiricahua Apache
Norma Howard, Choctaw Nation/Mississippi Choctaw/Chickasaw
Oscar Howe (Mazuha Hokshina), Yanktonai Dakota (1915–1983)
Howling Wolf, Southern Cheyenne (1849–1927)
Sharon Irla, Cherokee Nation (born 1957)
David Johns, Navajo (born 1948)
Ruthe Blalock Jones (Chu-Lun-Dit), Shawnee/Peoria
Fred Kabotie (Naqavoy'ma), Hopi (1900–1986)
Michael Kabotie, Hopi (1942–2009)
Betty Keener Archuleta, Cherokee Nation (1928-1998)
Kicking Bear, Oglala Lakota (1846–1904)
Sylvia Lark, Seneca (1947–1990)
James Lavadour, Walla Walla
Annie Little Warrior, also Annie Red Tomahawk, Hunkpapa Lakota^[5] (1895–1966)
Judith Lowry, Maidu/Pit River tribes
Albert Looking Elk, Taos Pueblo (c. 1888–1940)^[6]
Albert Lujan, Taos Pueblo (1892–1948)^[6]
Oren Lyons, Seneca Nation (born 1930)
Julian Martinez, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1897–1943)
Mario Martinez, Yaqui (born 1953)
Solomon McCombs, Muscogee Creek (1913–1980)
Douglas Miles, San Carlos Apache/Akimel O'odham
Juan Mirabal, Taos Pueblo (1903–1970)
Isabel Montoya, San Ildefonso Pueblo (1899–1996)
Stephen Mopope (Qued Koi), Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (1898–1974)
George Morrison, Ojibwe (1919–2000)
Naiche, Chiricahua Apache (c. 1857–1919)
Gerald Nailor, Sr. (Toh Yah, "Walking by the River"), Navajo
Dan Namingha, Hopi
Jackson Narcomey, Muscogee Creek/Seminole, (1942–2012)
Doc Tate Nevaquaya (Comanche Nation, 1932–1996)
Lloyd Kiva New, Cherokee Nation, (1916–2002)
Bonita Wa Wa Calachaw Nuñez (1888–1972)
Diane O'Leary, Comanche, (1939–2013)
Fernando Padilla, Jr., San Felipe Pueblo/Navajo
Tonita Peña, (Quah Ah) San Ildefonso Pueblo (1893–1949)
St. David Pendleton Oakerhater (Making Medicine), Southern Cheyenne, (c. 1847–1931)
Oqwa Pi, (Abel Sanchez, Red Cloud), San Ildefonso Pueblo (1899–1971)
Sanford Plummer, Seneca (1905–1974)
Harvey Pratt (Wo-Pet-No-No-Mot, White Thunder), Cheyenne-Arapaho
Joseph Rael (Tslew-teh-koyeh "Beautiful Painted Arrow), Picuris Pueblo/Ute
Kevin Red Star, Crow Nation
Mateo Romero, Cochiti Pueblo
Paladine Roye (Pon Cee Cee), Ponca (1946–2001)
Will Sampson, Muscogee Creek (1933–1987)
Percy Tsisete Sandy (Kai-Sa "Red Moon"), Zuni Pueblo, (1918-1974)
Duane Slick, Meskwaki/Fox/Ho-Chunk (born 1961)
Fritz Scholder, La Jolla Luiseño (1937–2005)
Silver Horn (Haungooah) Kiowa (1860–1940)
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Salish-Kootenai/Métis/Cree, Shoshone/Bannock
Lois Smoky Kaulaity (Bougetah), Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (1907–1981)
Ernest Spybuck (Maythela), Absentee Shawnee (1883–1949)
Virginia Stroud, Keetoowah Cherokee/Muscogee
Carl Sweezy, Southern Arapaho (1881–1953)
Moses Stranger Horse, Brulé Lakota (1890–1941)
Quincy Tahoma (Water's Edge), Navajo (1920–1956)^[7]
Tichkematse, (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes) (1857-1932)
Jerome Tiger (Kocha), Muscogee Creek/Seminole
Johnny Tiger, Jr., Muscogee Creek/Seminole (1940–2015)
Monroe Tsatoke, Kiowa, one of the Kiowa Six (1904–1937)
Awa Tsireh (Alfonso Roybal), San Ildefonso Pueblo (1898–1955)
Frank Tuttle, Concow Maidu/Yuki/Wailaki (born 1951)
Pablita Velarde (Tse Tsan), Santa Clara Pueblo (1918–2006)
Kay WalkingStick, Cherokee Nation
Pop Wea (Lori Tanner), Taos Pueblo (died 1966)^[8]
Dick West (Wah-pah-nah-yah), Southern Cheyenne (1912–1996)
White Horse (Tsen-tainte), Kiowa (died 1892)
Dyani White Hawk, Sicangu Lakota (born 1976)
Emmi Whitehorse, Navajo
Elizabeth Woody, Navajo/Tenino (Warm Springs)/Wasco/Yakama (born 1959)
Beatien Yazz, Navajo
Melanie Yazzie, Navajo

Performance artists

Marcus Amerman, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
Gregg Deal, Pyramid Lake Paiute
James Luna, Payómkawichum/Ipi/Mexican-American (1950–2018)
Rosy Simas, Seneca Nation of Indians, Heron clan

Photographers

Dugan Aguilar, Paiute/Pit River/Maidu (1947–2018)
Jennie Ross Cobb, Cherokee (1881–1959)
Jeremy Dennis, Shinecock
Jean Fredericks, Hopi (1906–1990)
Shan Goshorn, Eastern Band Cherokee (1957–2018)
Benjamin Haldane, Tsimshian (1874–1941)
Sally Larsen, Apache/Alutiiq
Lee Marmon, Laguna Pueblo (1925–2021)
Parker McKenzie, Kiowa (1897–1999)
Larry McNeil, Tlingit/Nisga'a (born 1955)
Shelley Niro, Mohawk (born 1954)
Horace Poolaw, Kiowa (1906–1984)
Camille Seaman, Shinnecock (born 1969)
Richard Throssel Cree (1882–1933)
Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, Muscogee/Seminole/Navajo (born 1954)
Richard Ray Whitman, Yuchi/Muscogee Creek
Matika Wilbur, Tulalip Tribes/Swinomish people (born 1984)
Will Wilson, Navajo (born 1969)
Zoë Marieh Urness (photographer) Tlingit (born 1984)

Printmakers

Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc, (born 1980)
T.C. Cannon (Pai-doung-u-day), Kiowa/Caddo
R.C. Gorman, Navajo (1932–2005)
Benjamin Harjo Jr., Absentee Shawnee/Seminole Tribe of Oklahoma
Hachivi Edgar Heap of Birds, Southern Cheyenne
Debora Iyall, Cowlitz (born 1954)^[9]
Frank LaPena, Nomtipom/Wintu (1937–2019), printmaker, painter, woodworker
James Lavadour, Walla Walla
Linda Lomahaftewa, Hopi/Choctaw
Michael McCabe (1961–2023), Diné
Jaune Quick-To-See Smith, Salish-Kootenai/ Métis/Shoshone-Bannock
Melanie Yazzie, Navajo

Sculptors

Rick Bartow, Wiyot/Yurok (1946–2016)
Blackbear Bosin, Comanche/Kiowa (1921–1980)
Amanda Crowe, Eastern Band Cherokee (1928–2004)
Cliff Fragua, Jemez Pueblo
Tammy Garcia, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1969)
Bob Haozous, Chiricahua Apache (born 1943)
Allan Houser (Haozous), Chiricahua Apache (1914–1994)
Nathan Jackson, Tlingit (born 1938)
Margaret E. Jacobs, Mohawk
Edmonia Lewis, Mississauga Ojibwe (c. 1844–1907)
Nora Naranjo Morse, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1953)
Harvey Pratt (Wo-Pet-No-No-Mot, "White Thunder"), Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes (born 1941)
Lawney Reyes, Sinixt
Ronald Senungetuk, Iñupiaq (1933–2020)
Russell Spears, Narragansett (1917–2009)
Roxanne Swentzell, Santa Clara Pueblo (born 1962)
Ralph W. Sturges, Mohegan (1918–2007)
Marie Watt, Seneca (born 1967)
Holly Wilson (Delaware Nation/Cherokee, born 1968)
Melanie Yazzie, Navajo (born 1966)

Textile artists

Natalie Ball, Klamath/Modoc, (born 1980)
D.Y. Begay, Navajo (born 1953)
Hastiin Klah, Navajo (1867–1937)
Lily Hope, Tlingit (born 1983)
Ursala Hudson, Tlingit
Carla Hemlock, Mohawk (born 1961)
Julia Marden, Aquinnah Wampanoag
Ardina Moore, Quapaw/Osage (1930–2022)
Dora Old Elk, Apsáalooke/Sioux (born 1977)
Jamie Okuma, Luiseño/Shoshone-Bannock (born 1977)
Eric-Paul Riege, Navajo (born 1994)
Clarissa Rizal, Tlingit (1956–2016)
Marilou Schultz, Navajo (born 1954)
Clara Sherman (Nezbah), Navajo (1914–2010)
Tyrrell Tapaha, Diné
Ska-ba-quay Tesson, Meskwaki (ca. 1846–1929)
Jennie Thlunaut, Tlingit (1892–1986)

Woodcarvers

Amanda Crowe, Eastern Band Cherokee (1928–2004)
Jesse Cornplanter, Seneca (1889–1957)
Babe Hemlock, Mohawk (born 1961)
Nathan Jackson, Tlingit (born 1938)
Jewell James (Praying Wolf, Tse Sealth), Lummi (born 1953)
James Schoppert, Tlingit (1947–1992)

References

Lester, Patrick D. The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1995. .

External links

Notes and References

Web site: The Indian Arts and Crafts Act of 1990 . live. https://web.archive.org/web/20190106230504/https://www.doi.gov/iacb/act . 6 January 2019. US Department of the Interior. Indian Arts and Crafts Board.
Ahtoneharjo-Growingthunder . Tahnee . Seven Directions . . Fall 2017 . 16 . 16–17 . 17 February 2019.
Book: Goins. Charles Robert . Danney . Goble . Historical Atlas of Oklahoma . Norman. University of Oklahoma Press. 2006. 249. 978-0-8061-3482-6. Google Books.
Web site: Fine Art and Outsiders: Attacking the Barriers . 9 February 1996 . The New York Times . 6 June 2017.
Web site: Women & Horses . National Museum of the American Indian . Smithsonian Institution . 4 October 2021.
Web site: Three Taos Pueblo Painters . Witt, D . 2003 . Traditional Fine Art Online, Inc . 2011-05-30 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110703231547/http://www.tfaoi.com/aa/3aa/3aa495.htm . 2011-07-03 .
Web site: Quincy Tahoma. AskArt.
Lester, p. 443
Web site: Hitéemlkiliiksix "Within the Circle of the Rim". dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20160817074911/http://academic.evergreen.edu/c/carom/imagine/travel.htm . 17 August 2016.