Fact and Fiction

Chris Youngblood (Santa Clara Pueblo) & Jennifer Tafoya (Santa Clara Pueblo)

A forthcoming exhibition at King Galleries’ location in downtown Scottsdale, Arizona, will feature new clay works by Santa Clara potters Chris Youngblood and Jennifer Tafoya, each of whom bring generational talent to the table. Jennifer is the daughter of Ray and Emily Tafoya, while Chris is the son of Nancy Youngblood and the great-grandson of Margaret Tafoya—known as the matriarch of Santa Clara Pueblo potters.

Chris Youngblood (Santa Clara Pueblo) and Jennfier Tafoya (Santa Clara Pueblo), Mimbres Horned Lizards and Songbirds, native clay, coil-built, traditionally fired

This new body of work by Youngblood and Tafoya combines realism, history and fantasy, including intricate designs like birds, elk and even dinosaurs carved into vivid black vessels. The show will feature individually made pieces, alongside a number of works that the two artists created together.

“Their award-winning collaborations combine Chris’ large vessels and deep carving with Jennfier’s designs and sgraffito details,” says gallery owner Charles King. “[Their] collaborative work is unique, [and] they each bring so much to each piece. Chris creates classic and modernist coil-built vessels that Jennifer can design and etch with [imagery]. There is a story that comes through each piece—dramatic, majestic, colorful and creative.”