History
When we started exploring the Southwest of America 32 years ago, we didn't care too much for art even though we were Europeans.
Stepping into a Gallery in Santa Fe or Gallup or even into an old time Trading Post in the middle of nowhere, we were overwhelmed from the beauty and variety of the different art objects the Navajo, Hopi and Pueblo Indians are able to create.
It is even more astonishing when you know, that in the many different native languages, there is no word for "art".
In the everyday life of the Indians or Native Americans, what they prefer to hear, it is very important to create things which show harmony, balance and an intrinsic beauty for the individual and the society.
We are talking about common things, like Clay pots to carry water, woven blankets or rugs which are able to fill a room with beauty and warmth, masterful carved Kachinas of the Hopi, to give away to young Hopi-Girls from the Ceremonial dancers to educate the girls in the tribes myths, fetishes of the Zuni, which transfer the spirits of the animals to their owners, or Turquoise and Silver jewelry for ceremonials and to adorn the personality of the person who wears it.
We learned from the Indian artists, that they only work on their objects, if they feel in harmony with their body, spirit and soul.
They deeply believe that this is the only way, to create things of intrinsic beauty, which enables other people to reach a spiritual balance the Navajo or Dineh, how they call themselves, call "May you walk in Beauty".
The deep spirituality of the indigenous people plus the intense cultural exchange with Spaniards and Anglo-Americans from the beginning 17.th century which occurred only in the Southwest of the United states, let it happen, that "small town" Santa Fe became the second largest Art Market of the USA and once a year for the Indian Market the worldwide biggest for Native American Art.