Artist Bio
Abel provided the following
statement:
Abel Nash is a corn clan member
of Walpi village on First Mesa. He was born in Keams Canyon,
on the Hopi reservation in 1982. Abel is a 3rd generation artist.
He was taught how to carve by his father Troy Nash and his grandfather
Tino Youvella. He learned alot about pottery designs and their
meanings from his great grandmother Bessie Namoki and grand mother
Sandra Dewangyumptewa. Also his great uncle Dalton Namoki was
a big influence when it came to drawing and painting.
Abel drew and painted as a
younger kid and around junior high he began to carve. After high
school Abel worked at the Hopi Radio Station for 4 years but
wanted to pursue a career in Culinary arts. He attended Le’
Cordon Bleu in Scottsdale Az. Where he received his bachelors
degree in culinary arts. During this time he was carving and
selling his kachina dolls to local shops and galleries as well
as the Heard museum. Abel began to work in restaurants in Scottsdale
but it began to get harder to carve due to the long hours of
being in the kitchen. He then started drawing and painting again.
Because it was much easier to put away a canvas and paints. Rather
then vacuuming and sweeping up a bunch of saw dust and wood chips.
After working in the culinary field for 14 years he decided it
was time to move back to Hopi.
After moving back to Hopi,
Abel began to sell his artwork full time, at his home in Walpi,
with his cousins and uncles. He then started to develop his own
style and techniques. His paintings and drawings are mostly of
pottery designs that represent clan symbols, plants, animals,
and insects. Including clouds, prayer feathers, and symbols representing
life, good health, and prayers for moisture. The mediums Abel
uses are watercolor, acrylic, and aerosol paints. Which he uses
to create both traditional and contemporary pieces of art.
Abel loves creating new forms
of art work and is always experimenting. He has painted on different
types of surfaces such as vinyl records, plastic platters, and
skateboard decks. He wants to show that traditional designs and
symbols can be shown in more modern and contemporary ways. Helping
to preserve traditions and culture.
