#michael naranjo

[richardnixonlibrary]

November is Native American Heritage Month. Today, we are spotlighting Native American artist and Army veteran Michael Naranjo.

In September 1971, Michael Naranjo presented a bronze sculpture entitled “Dance of the Eagle” to President Nixon. The sculpture is in our museum public gifts collection.

Mr. Naranjo of the Tewa people was born 1944 in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico to noted ceramicist Rose Naranjo. In January 1968, he was blinded by a grenade while fighting in Vietnam; he also lost almost all use of his right hand. After a stay at a Veterans Administration center for the blind in California, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to work as a sculptor.

In 1999, he was the first artist to be honored as the Disabled American Veterans’ Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. A quote by Mr. Naranjo is inscribed on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial on the National Mall, Washington, DC. (Image: WHPO-7353-04A)

[sourkitsch]

Toro and Torito by Michael Naranjo, an indigenous artist who lost both his sight and the use of his left hand while fighting in the Vietnam war

[richardnixonlibrary]

9/24/1971 Artist Michael Naranjo presented a bronze sculpture entitled “Dance of the Eagle” to President Nixon. They both reportedly knelt on the floor of the Oval Office so Mr. Naranjo could “see” the Presidential Seal on the carpet with his hands. 

Born in 1944 in Santa Clara Pueblo, NM, Mr. Naranjo (Tewa tribe), son of noted ceramicist Rose Naranjo, was blinded by a grenade while fighting in Vietnam and lost almost all use of his right hand. After a VA rehabilitation center for the blind in California, he moved to Santa Fe, NM to work as a sculptor.   

In 1999, Michael Naranjo was the first artist to be honored as the Disabled American Veterans’ Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. A quote by Mr. Naranjo is inscribed on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial on the National Mall, Washington, DC.

(Image: WHPO-7353-04A)

[richardnixonlibrary]

#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth On 9/24/1971, Michael Naranjo presented a bronze sculpture entitled "Dance of the Eagle" to President Nixon. The sculpture weighs about 35 pounds and is in our museum collection. Mr. Naranjo and the President reportedly kneeled on the floor of the Oval Office so Mr. Naranjo could "see" the Presidential Seal on the carpet with his hands. Born in 1944 in Santa Clara Pueblo, Mr. Naranjo is the son of noted ceramicist Rose Naranjo. Tragically, he was blinded by a grenade while fighting as an infantryman in the Vietnam War. He also lost practically all of the use of his right hand. After attending a VA rehabilitation center for the blind in California, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to work as a sculptor. In 1999, the now-renowned sculptor was the first artist to be honored as the Disabled American Veterans' Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. A quote by Mr. Naranjo is inscribed on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial on the National Mall, Washington, DC. (Image: WHPO-7353-04A)

[richardnixonlibrary]

#OTD 9/24/1971 Artist Michael Naranjo presented a bronze sculpture entitled “Dance of the Eagle” to President Nixon. The sculpture weighs about 35 pounds and is in our museum collection. Mr. Naranjo and the President reportedly knelt on the floor of the Oval Office so Mr. Naranjo could “see” the Presidential Seal on the carpet with his hands. Born in 1944 in Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, Mr. Naranjo of the Tewa tribe is the son of noted ceramicist Rose Naranjo. Tragically, he was blinded by a grenade while fighting as an infantryman in the Vietnam War. He also lost practically all of the use of his right hand. After attending a VA rehabilitation center for the blind in California, he moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico to work as a sculptor. In 1999, the now-renowned sculptor was the first artist to be honored as the Disabled American Veterans’ Outstanding Disabled Veteran of the Year. A quote by Mr. Naranjo is inscribed on the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial on the National Mall, Washington, DC. (Image: WHPO-7353-04A)

[nmpbs]

As long as we have that little bit of a child in us and if we can still believe in Santa then there’s hope.

Michael Naranjo

In this special holiday segment, COLORES! features one of New Mexico’s favorite sculptors, Michael Naranjo (Santa Clara Pueblo). Blinded while serving in the Vietnam War, Naranjo has since become known for his sculptures of Native American life.

In this program, Naranjo shows a new side. From his first wax models, to the final bronze sculpture, COLORES! follows him through his process of creating something special for the holidays — Santa and his reindeer. He unveils this new sculpture for the first time, along with sharing what Christmas means to him, on this holiday COLORES!