Roxanne Swentzell is a granddaughter of Rose Naranjo, and part of one of the most innovative families at Santa Clara pueblo.  She began making smaller clay figures, and they have evolved from traditional figures to more representational forms of women. This is one of her clay figures from 1999.  She wrote about this piece:

“When we accept the idea that we need to change the way we look or act in order to be beautiful, to be accepted or to fit in, we automatically reject a part of ourselves. It‘s a treacherous, self-destructive attitude, but it often affects us in subtle, insidious ways. In Roxanne‘s thinking, a healthy step has been taken when we become aware of the threat and struggle to fight it off, when we‘re terrified enough to grip the hand with its clawing, bright red nails and hold it at bay. She recognizes that these images of what she‘s supposed to be, especially from television, are an attack on her. She’s conscious that this is a scary thing, that this is a dangerous thing.“

It is featured in the book, “Extra Ordinary People” on p. 32-33.  Roxanne continues to be one of the pivotal Pueblo artists, and her work continues to be among the most dynamic and innovative in contemporary figural pottery.  She has won numerous awards for her work, along with being the subject of several museum exhibitions and books, such as “Women Potters:  Transforming Traditions” and “Clay People”.  It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair.  It is signed in the clay, “ROX”.