Title: Strength, Love, Joy

Artist: Matthew Bahe

Tribal Affiliation: Diné (Navajo) ceramic artist

Year Completed: 2022

Medium: clay, wheel thrown pot, hand carved, and sand blasted

Dimensions (HxWxD): 11"H x 11"W

Description/Inspiration:

I created a Native American wedding vase with carved surface illustrating a water bird in front vase and Shiprock in the back with an arrowhead. These symbols and imagery have spiritual and symbolic meaning to the Diné people. The water bird is a spiritual medicine animal to the Diné people, Shiprock is where I was born and a landmark representing where I am from. The arrowhead representing strength and used as a spiritual medicine instrument. The vase is a positive object to bring the owner joy, love, strength, and prosperity.

Artist Bio/Statement:

My name is Matthew Bahe I am Diné (Navajo) artist, and I resign in Farmington New Mexico. I was born and raised on the Navajo Nation Reservation in New Mexico. I am a potter/craftsman that obtained my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Jacksonville University in Florida and my Associates in Liberal Arts from San Juan College in Farmington. I work at San Juan College as a part time employee where I teach and work on studio maintenance. I have also been given the opportunity to work with and assist alongside nationwide potters in my experience in Sierra Nevada College as a lab technician during the summers. I create one of kind ceramic pots that are decorative and or functional. Each piece is uniquely crafted and design with an inspiration in mind, along with use of a combination of imagery, colors, shapes, and size to personalize each piece.

Please note:

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