“My work is about, and has always been about, land – about being aware of our surroundings and appreciating the beauty of nature. I am concerned that we are no longer aware of those things. I hope that the calm and beauty in my work serves as a reminder of what is underfoot, of the exchange we make with nature. Light, space, and color are the axis around which my work evolves. The act of making art must stay true to a harmonious balance of beauty, nature, humanity, and the whole universe. This is in accordance with Navajo philosophy.”
—Emmi Whitehorse
Emmi Whitehorse is a Diné artist whose artistic practice masterfully blends storytelling traditions with images from the natural world. Her work has been exhibited widely since 1979, recently participating in major exhibitions at the Whitney Museum of American Art, New York, in 2019–2022, and the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C., this year. Whitehorse is one of 333 artists whose work is featured in the main exhibition of the 60th Venice Biennale.
