Penny Singer Explained

Penny Singer
Birth Place:Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, United States
Education:Institute of American Indian Arts
Years Active:1999-present
Known For:Wearable art
Children:1
Website:https://pennysinger.com/

Penny Singer is a Diné (Navajo)[1] clothing designer who creates wearable art.

Biography

Penny Singer was born in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona to Diné parents.[2] [3] They were a military family, and moved every few years. Singer's mother taught her to sew when she was seven. She attended Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona.

Singer won a scholarship to Haskell Indian Nations University. Her boyfriend needed a ribbon shirt for powwow regalia, so she made one for him.[4] In 1992, Singer transferred the Institute of American Indian Arts to study photography and documentary film.[5] where she studied traditional design techniques, particularly southwest appliqué styles. Singer graduated from college in 1996.[6] After graduating, Singer returned to fashion design, showing her first pieces at Indian Market in 1999. Singer's appliqué grew stronger as she created and used her stencils.

Singer began producing and selling ribbon shirts at markets like the Santa Fe Indian Market. In 2023, they were displayed at the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Native Fashion Week.

Work

Singer considers her work "wearable art".[7] She makes clothing ranging from dancing regalia to jackets. A 2024 article in Vogue noted that she specializes in handcrafted ribbon shirts.[8] Singer's work combines her artistic media. For example, she will use photographs printed on fabric for patchwork. She uses art by other artists as well, like buttons created by Navajo silversmiths Michael Roanhorse and Jennifer Curtis.[9] Her work draws inspiration from her life and Navajo design.

Singer's work mainly includes jackets, shirts, and purses, but also includes wall hangings, dance regalia, and other clothing.

Awards

This is a partial list of awards:

References

  1. 8 June 2007 . Swaia Honors Artists . Santa Fe New Mexican . Santa Fe, NM . Gale.
  2. Lopez . Santana . 15 August 2007 . BREAKING OUT SIX ARTISTS USE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AS OPPORTUNITY TOMOVE FORWARD . The Santa Fe New Mexican . Santa Fe, NM . Gale.
  3. Web site: Roberts . Kathleen . 2020-05-31 . Stories in fiber: Award-winning Dine fashion designer turns attention to making masks . 2024-08-01 . Albuquerque Journal . en.
  4. Web site: Allaire . Christian . 2024-05-22 . Penny Singer's Ribbon Shirts Are Sewn With Stories . 2024-08-01 . Vogue . en-US.
  5. Web site: 2018-10-16 . The Incredible Influence of New Mexico's Native Fashion Designers . 2024-08-01 . www.newmexicomagazine.org . en-us.
  6. Web site: Lawe . Nicole . Community News . 2024-08-01 . Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) . en-US.
  7. News: O'Shea . Cassie . 15 August 2010 . Rich Traditions; Clothing competition gives participants their chance to shine . The Santa Fe New Mexican . Gale.
  8. Web site: Allaire . Christian . 2024-05-02 . Five Artists to Know From the Inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week . 2024-08-01 . Vogue . en-US.
  9. RheAnn . Metcalfe, Jessica . 2010 . Native Designers of High Fashion: Expressing Identity, Creativity, and Tradition in Contemporary Customary Clothing Design . EN.
  10. Web site: 2023 Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon – Santa Fe Indian Market . 2024-08-01 . en-US.
  11. KIERA HAY Journal, S. W. (2007, Aug 20). Clothing cut from a different cloth; the artist says her wearable work sold well in the Indian market. Albuquerque Journal – via Proquest.
  12. Web site: 2005 . 47th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market Award List . Heard Guild . 2.

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