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 “The
stone speaks to me by its color and sound. I look at the color and the
characteristics of the stone, then I tap it to listen for a ringing sound. If it
rings, then the stone is solid. I interpret the ringing as singing, hence the
name of my studio.
"My connection with the stone involves spirituality and reverence for the
spirit that dwells within. It has been on this earth much longer than man and
for this reason the stone becomes the teacher, it is simply what my ancestors
believe. I am the mediator between the stone and the tools; the stone and the
viewer. I visualize what the stone wants to become and I strive to help it
blossom.”
-- Cliff
Fragua
The Artist
Aztec
The Artist:
abundant, multiple, restless, disciple
The True Artist: capable,
practicing, skillful; maintains
dialogue with his heart, meets things with
his mind.
The True Artist: draws out all
from his heart, works with
delight makes things with calm, with
sagacity, works like a true Toltec,
composes his object, works dexterously,
invents; arranges material, adorns them,
makes them adjust.
The Carrion Artist: works at random,
sneers at the people,
makes things opaque, brushes across the
surface of the face of things, works without
care, defrauds people, is a thief.
Native
Pueblo sculptor, Cliff Fragua, has learned the secret of the stone through his
cultural and ancestral teachings. Based in Native American themes, his work
shows pride for his culture and a deep understanding of the inherent
spirituality of the stone. He has chosen stone as his medium of expression
because it is a combination of the basic elements of the earth. He feels that
the honesty and purity of this most basic of material permits him to express
himself from the heart and to express the spirit that Native people respect an
revere as embodied in the stone.
Since 1974, when he created his first stone sculpture, Fragua has created a
significant body of work that keeps evolving with the artist’s new influences
and new interests. His sculptures are featured in such public locations as the
Albuquerque International Airport and in permanent collections throughout the
country. He has been included in major invitational exhibitions and one-man
shows in leading museums and galleries and has earned highest honors and awards
for his sculptures.
EDUCATION:
- Pietrasanta Stone Workshop - Pietrasanta, Italy, 1987
- San Francisco Art Institute - San Francisco, California, 1974
- Institute of American Indian Arts - Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1973-1975
WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Sculpture Instructor, Southwest Stone Carving Symposium, Jemez Springs,
New Mexico 1996-1999.
- Sculpture Instructor, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Education, Jemez Pueblo,
New Mexico 1995.
- Art Education Director, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Education,
Jemez Pueblo,
New Mexico 1995.
- Special Projects Coordinator, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Tourism,
Jemez
Pueblo, New Mexico 1993-1994
- Owner, Singing Stone Studio, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1979 - ongoing.
SELECTED AWARDS:
- Indian Artist of the Year Award; Indian Arts & Crafts
Association 2005
- Best of Division, First Award; Heard Museum Indian Market,
Phoenix, AZ 2005
- Recognition of Achievement Award; Eight Northern Indian
Pueblos Arts & Crafts Board 2001
- Po'pay Commission; Sculpture Commission to represent the
State of New Mexico in the National Statuary Hall at the US
Capitol in Washington DC; 2000
- First Award - Floor Sculpture Category, First Award - Table
Sculpture Category; Indian Arts & Crafts Association Show; Albuquerque,
NM 1999
- Best of Show; Native American Artist Invitational; Fountain
Hills, AZ 1998
- Best of Category: Indian Arts and Crafts Association Show - Denver,
Colorado 1997.
- First Award in Marble Category: SWAIA Annual Indian Market - Santa Fe, New
Mexico 1995, 1996, 2000
- People’s Choice Award: Ray Tracey Gallery - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1996.
- Wheelwright Museum Award for Excellence in Sculpture: SWAIA Annual Indian
Market - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1995.
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
- National Statuary Hall, US Capitol Building - Washington DC
- Museum of Man - San Diego, CA
- Phoenix City Hall - Phoenix, Arizona.
- Albuquerque Sunport - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Albuquerque Museum - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - Albuquerque, New Mexico
ACTIVITIES:
- President,
Indigenous Sculptor Society 2004, 2005
- Board Member - Southwestern Association for Indian Arts (SWAIA),1998,
1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
- SWAIA Council of Artist Chair - 2003
- Vice President - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001, 2002,
2003
- Member - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001, 2002, 2003
- President - Indian Arts & Crafts Association (IACA), 2000
- Vice-President - Indian Arts & Crafts Association (IACA),
1999
- Vice-Chairman - Indian Arts and Crafts Foundation (IACA), 1998
- Artist/Craftspeople Representative - Indian Arts and Crafts Association
Board of Directors (IACA), 1998- 2003
- Treasurer - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1998
- Chairperson - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1990-1996
- Coordinator - Jemez Red Rocks Arts & Crafts Show 1990-1997
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