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SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Johnathan Naranjo

Name
Johnathan Naranjo
Tribe
Santa Clara Pueblo
Juried Classification(s)
Pottery
Website

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
FR S 317
SFIM24
SFT E 531
WIM25

2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Johnathan Naranjo

My pottery is created by traditional Santa Clara Pueblo materials and techniques. Clay is gathered in the hills of Pueblo lands. Brown clay and volcanic ash are later strained/sieved through a filter, mixed together and laid out in the sun to dry until it's the right consistency to form. When clay is ready I use a traditional hand forming coiling technique to pinch and pull the clay together whilst smoothing upwards. Pottery is then left to dry, followed by sanded to smooth texture. I apply a wet red rock slip to the surface of the piece which is also a material gathered from the local area. This slip is rubbed on to the surface with a smooth river stone to polish until completely dried and shiny. From this point I prepare cedar wood and metal tins to fire outdoors in a man made pit in the ground. Once fired the color of my art changes from red to a dark brown/black color. The final step is designing the surface by sgraffito, etching and carving techniques all with a sharp blade.