Ryan Singer, The Vendor
Ryan Singer
1973-
Diné (Navajo)
Date
2014
Medium Specific
Acrylic on canvas
Classification
Painting
Dimensions
24 x 20 in. (61 x 50.8 cm)
Accession Number
2014.25.15.10
Credit
Museum Acquisition
Memo / Artist Statement
The main subject in this painting is the elderly Diné (Navajo) woman vendor walking with a cooler and carrying her purse. I used a black-and-white photo by my friend Albert Sloan as a reference for this piece. I wanted to show a bit of tension between the vivid colors versus the idea of an elderly woman working to support herself and her family. The concept of food is significant in Diné culture. Being a Diné person, I can tell those burritos she's selling are delicious. While there is a socioeconomic commentary underlying the piece, there is also an elegant resilience displayed by the woman as she works while the people in the background enjoy the parade. -- Ryan Singer, 2025
Biography
Ryan Singer, a Diné (Navajo) artist, currently resides and works out of his studio in downtown Albuquerque, New Mexico. Heavily influenced by punk music and the underground art scene, his work is often considered to be a part of a “new wave” of young Native artists. Ryan's distinctive use of vibrant colors, juxtapositions of traditional Native imagery with popular Western culture, and his satirical portrayals of modern Indian identity, have earned him numerous awards including an artist fellowship from the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA) in 2011 and the first ever “Adult Smile Award” at the 2008 SWAIA Santa Fe Indian Market.
https://ryansingerart.square.site/
https://ryansingerart.square.site/
Date of Bio