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Attributed to Bruce Hathale (Navajo, b. 1956). Navajo Picture Writing (5 Yei Figures - Corn Theme) late 20th century. A beautiful example of Navajo picture writing on muslin (percale) depicting 5 Yei figures with corn, one of the 4 sacred plants to the Navajo. The central Yei has a green corn stalk body with ears of corn in both hands as well as sprouting from her body. The two yei depicted in profile at either end also hold ears of corn, while the two yei wearing white single shoulder dresses each hold staffs with corn and plants atop. Also notable is the large black bird perched or flying above the central corn yei's feathered headdress. All is delineated in a polychrome palette of mint green, berry red, gold, black, and white hues against a peach ground. A wonderful pictorial presentation that clearly demonstrates its roots in Navajo sandpainting, set in a custom double matte and frame behind glass. Size: 20.5" L x 26.5" W (52.1 cm x 67.3 cm) Size (frame): 30.25" L x 40.76" W (76.8 cm x 103.5 cm)

Such drawings are called picture writing by the Navajo. They are painted with the same earthen pigments used for sand paintings. Yeis are the supernatural beings that make communication between the Navajo people and their Gods possible and are thought to possess the power to bring about healing in medicinal ceremonies. The Navajo medicine man employs a combination of herbal medicines, chanting, and sandpainting to cure an ill person. He will sprinkle colored sands on the ground to create a specific Yei depending on the god he is hoping to contact. Once finished, corn pollen is spread over the painting to sanctify it. During the ceremony, the medicine man will sometimes wet his hand, press it on the Yei image, and wipe it on the forehead of the patient. Sometimes lasting several days, this sacred ceremony is designed to prompt evil to vacate the person's body and cure the illness.

According to Chuck and Jan Rosenak's "The People Speak - Navajo Folk Art": "Bruce Hathale was born in 1956, was raised on top of the mesa in Tes Nez Iah. He completed about eleven years of boarding school in Blanding, Utah. Bruce Hathale, his wife, Susie George, and their two children live in the family compound overlooking the post at Tes Nez Iah. / There is virtually no employment in this sparsely populated area, which is completely isolated from the rest of Arizona in winter storms or heavy rainfall. Most of the Navajo rely on their herds of sheep and goats, and some of the women weave. / 'In 1983,' Bruce relates, 'my father had the idea for me to do sandpaintings on old bed sheets. I did it first and then my brother Dennis joined in. I work from a book I bought and from my father's drawings (memory aids). Sometimes Roger won't let me copy on because of tradition, but sometimes he says, 'go ahead.'" (Source: Pages 85 and 86 of Chuck and Jan Rosenak's "The People Speak - Navajo Folk Art" Northland Publications, Flagstaff, Arizona, 1994)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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#174744

Painting is set in a double matte and frame behind glass. It has not been examined outside the frame but appears to be in very good condition save a few areas of puckering. Frame has scuffs and chips as shown. Normal tears to gallery paper on verso. Fit with suspension wire.