Lee Marmon, Rosita Johnson (Laguna)
Lee Marmon
1925-2021
Laguna Pueblo
Date
1958
Medium Specific
Photograph
Classification
Photograph
Dimensions
20 x 16 in. (50.8 x 40.6 cm)
Accession Number
2008.20.10.73
Credit
Gift of the Artist
Memo / Artist Statement
Rosita Johnson (1876-1976) was born and raised in Laguna village. She married Frank Johnson from Paguate and had four sons - Valentine, Larry, Pete, and Frank. She was an expert potter. Customers from as far away as California came to New Mexico just to buy her pottery. She also sold her pottery to passengers on the Santa Fe trains that stopped at the Laguna station.
In addition to her artistic skills, Rosita was a very good adobe plasterer. She often hand-plastered houses in the village. While she was working one day, I asked her to pose for me. She agreed and changed into her traditional fiesta clothes. (Marmon, Laguna Pueblo: A Photographic History, p.136)
In addition to her artistic skills, Rosita was a very good adobe plasterer. She often hand-plastered houses in the village. While she was working one day, I asked her to pose for me. She agreed and changed into her traditional fiesta clothes. (Marmon, Laguna Pueblo: A Photographic History, p.136)
Biography
One of America’s most renowned Native American photographers, Marmon began his career in 1947, photographing elders and members of his community in Laguna Pueblo, New Mexico. Over the past fifty years Marmon’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally. His diverse portfolio includes work with Columbia Pictures, official photographer for the Bob Hope Desert Classic for eight years, a Commission for the White House in 1972, and most recently photographing for the American Indian College Fund. The portfolio features photographic prints from throughout his career.