David K. John, Let Our Voices Be Heard, Census Poster 1990
David K. John
Diné (Navajo)
Date
1990
Medium Specific
Poster
Printer
IAIA: Institute of American Indian Arts
Publisher
U.S. Department of Commerce; Bureau of the Census
Classification
Poster
Dimensions
24 x 24 in. (61 x 61 cm)
Accession Number
2017.10.12.87
Memo / Artist Statement
"My paintings are my own vision. And because so much is being lost with the passing of the older generations, I believe it is the role of the artist to communicate and teach the next generation. I try to do this through my paintings."
((http://jamesratliffgallery.com/dkjohn-profile.html, 2020)
((http://jamesratliffgallery.com/dkjohn-profile.html, 2020)
Biography
David K. John has lived his own words, working from his own inspiration, creating paintings based on Navajo mythology and stories. Communicating a quiet spirituality that speaks universally, his unique expressions are becoming more widely recognized and admired.
Raised by his great grandfather, a medicine man, John grew up in Keams Canyon, Arizona. He spent hours every day listening to the stories and teachings of his homeland. Following his graduation, John returned to his hometown, and what he had learned at his grandfather's knee came flooding back to his mind. Ever the teacher of Navajo spiritual beliefs, David's paintings incorporate and reflect the importance of his Grandfather's teachings and his own artistic and spiritual growth. And although he imparts spiritual truths through Navajo symbolism, John uses these symbols to inspire his own expression.
Enjoyed by a great many people worldwide, John's award winning artwork is also part of the collection at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ; the Navajo Tribal Museum, Window Rock, AZ; the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN; and the Red Cloud Museum, Pine Ridge, SD.
David John’s painting, “Rain Makers,” was chosen to represent the 1990 United States Census awareness poster. This poster was awarded the Pulitzer Award for Marketing.
(http://jamesratliffgallery.com/dkjohn-profile.html, 2020)
Raised by his great grandfather, a medicine man, John grew up in Keams Canyon, Arizona. He spent hours every day listening to the stories and teachings of his homeland. Following his graduation, John returned to his hometown, and what he had learned at his grandfather's knee came flooding back to his mind. Ever the teacher of Navajo spiritual beliefs, David's paintings incorporate and reflect the importance of his Grandfather's teachings and his own artistic and spiritual growth. And although he imparts spiritual truths through Navajo symbolism, John uses these symbols to inspire his own expression.
Enjoyed by a great many people worldwide, John's award winning artwork is also part of the collection at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ; the Navajo Tribal Museum, Window Rock, AZ; the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN; and the Red Cloud Museum, Pine Ridge, SD.
David John’s painting, “Rain Makers,” was chosen to represent the 1990 United States Census awareness poster. This poster was awarded the Pulitzer Award for Marketing.
(http://jamesratliffgallery.com/dkjohn-profile.html, 2020)