Aragon, Ralph -8.5″ Tall Jar with Dragonflies and Petroglyph Designs (2005)

Ralph Aragon (1944-2025) was from San Felipe Pueblo but married Joan Gachupin (Zia).  He learned to make pottery from his mother-in-law, Candelaria Gachupin.  He was a brother-in-law to Dora Tse-Pe.  Ralph created his own style of painted pottery.  His designs employ a wide array of symbols, sometimes drawing from ancient rock art.  He also uses a spatter technique reminiscent of Joe Herrera.  This is one of his larger pieces.  It is a round shoulder jar with a short neck.  The jar is fully painted with large dragonflies around the shoudler and Zia clouds.  In the subtle background, there are petroglyph designs.  Note the variations in color and depth of design as if one is looking backward through time!  It is signed, “Ralph Aragon”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.

“Ralph Aragon transcends his success as an easel painter by also painting pottery in his own unique way.  His pots are easily recognizable.  He uses bold colors and ancient designs to create fine art pieces that look both ancient and modern simultaneously.  He is a true artist in his constant innovations, developing a myriad of variations on Southwest Indian pottery.”  Schaaf, 2002