Sally J. Black (Diné/Navajo, b. 1959)
Hummingbird — hand‑coiled basket; hand‑split, hand‑dyed three‑leaf sumac (Rhus trilobata); unique
Provenance
Acquired directly from the artist; offered with a signed Certificate of Authenticity and full documentation. (Inventory ref.: SJB–HUM–[YY]–[##])
Catalogue Note
Hummingbird is a refined example of Sally J. Black’s pictorial vocabulary, where a living motif is composed within the logic of the Navajo wedding‑basket. The figure reads in dynamic symmetry: swept wings arc across the field, a radiant sunburst anchors the center, and chevron bands accelerate the sense of flight. Black exploits the spiral coil as both structure and metaphor—motion radiates from the basket’s heart while precise color blocks and saw‑tooth edges register the beat of the bird’s wings. The composition balances energy and control, yielding a work that is simultaneously lyrical and architecturally exact.
Technique & Materials
The basket is prepared entirely by hand from three‑leaf sumac: shoots gathered, split, trimmed, smoothed, and dyed by the artist. Stitching is remarkably even with tight registration at color transitions; the rim is impeccably finished—hallmarks of Black’s mature practice. The disciplined geometry required to sustain bilateral imagery over a large diameter demonstrates advanced command of multi‑axis pictorial weaving.
Significance & Context
While rooted in Diné tradition, Black extends the form through pictorial “story basket” innovations pioneered alongside her mother, Mary Holiday Black. Animal and celestial subjects—here the hummingbird, a bringer of vitality and movement—allow her to join ceremony‑derived structure to contemporary imagery without sacrificing cultural respect. Works of this caliber represent the synthesis that has placed her at the forefront of the contemporary Navajo basketry movement.
Institutional Dialogue
Sally J. Black’s baskets are represented in major public collections, including the Natural History Museum of Utah, the Nelson‑Atkins Museum of Art, and the Heard Museum. Collectors and curators value pieces like Hummingbird for their technical precision, compositional clarity, and central role in the pictorial evolution of Navajo basketry.
Details — Example Commission
Artist: Sally J. Black (Diné/Navajo)
Materials: Three‑leaf sumac; natural and commercial dyes
Dimensions: Varies by commission
Weaving Time: Varies by size and complexity — a 24‑inch piece ~150 hours of master‑level work
Edition: Unique (one‑of‑one) per commission
Documentation & Compliance
Includes COA with unique inventory ID, materials, and date of completion. All representation complies with the Indian Arts and Crafts Act. A conservation‑grade condition report and museum‑grade mounting recommendations are available upon request.