Damian Jim

Summary

Damian Jim (born 1973) is a Diné (Navajo) artist.[1] He is known for his design work on traditional woven baskets, in addition to digital art, photography, and work with acrylic, oil, and ink.[2]

Damian Jim
Born1973
NationalityNavajo Nation, American
EducationAl Collins Graphic Design School
Websitedamianjim.com

Early life and education edit

Damin Jim was born in 1973 in Shiprock, New Mexico[3] on the Navajo Nation.

Jim received training in graphic design from the Al Collins Graphic Design School. He also has a bachelor's degree in Computer Information Systems.[3][4][non-primary source needed]

Art career edit

Jim is well known for his work as a basket design. He began this work by sketching symbols from Navajo oral history, editing the image with a computer, and discussing the design with weavers for their input.[5] His first job was with the Twin Rocks Trading Post in Utah, where his designs were used by leading Navajo weavers and helped sustain Navajo basketry.[6] His designs were also used by rug weavers and jewelers.[7]

In addition to this work, he uses pop culture references, surrealism, and street art aesthetics, incorporating retellings of Indigenous stories, in work with acrylic, oil, and ink on canvas and paper.[8]

He co-founded and managed 1Spot, one of the few Native Americans in the United States-led art galleries in Phoenix, Arizona.[2][9][non-primary source needed]

Publishing edit

Damian Jim helped create Ziindi: Indigenous Art Zine in 2012.[3]

Awards edit

  • Best Artist of the Year, Flagstaff, AZ (1992)[3]
  • People's Choice, Sedona Fine Arts Festival (1992)[3]
  • First Place, Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum Exhibition (1998)[3]
  • First Place, 2D/Prints and Honorable Mention, 2D/Mixed Medium, Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market (2021)

External links edit

  • Official website
  • Ziindi, indigenous Indigenous art zine

References edit

  1. ^ Xicoinc (2012-01-28). "Artist Interview: Damian Jim". Xico arte y cultura. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  2. ^ a b "Damian Jim | NHMU Baskets". Natural History Museum of Utah. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  3. ^ "Who is Damian Jim?". 1Spot Gallery. Archived from the original on 2020-09-26. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  4. ^ "Arizona Highways, November 1997". azmemory.azlibrary.gov. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  5. ^ "Traditional art made new in Utah Navajos' baskets". The Salt Lake Tribune. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  6. ^ "Damian Jim – the creative genius". Byting Willows. 2014-10-11. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  7. ^ Abatemarco, Michael. "Reworking Native identity: Artist Damian Jim". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 2021-09-28.
  8. ^ "Damian Jim". Kryptic Leaf LLC. Retrieved 2021-09-28.