Michael Namingha

“Art has to have some sort of sense of humor” blurts the Native American pop artist who’s creations include ‘gummy bear wallpaper’, ‘God Save Amy Winehouse’ and array of interesting manipulated images of iconic art, artist, leaders and text.

Michael Namingha (Tewa – Hopi- Hispanic), like his artwork, is constantly blurring the lines of what you think you see, hear, feel and understand of this young artist and his work. This New Mexican “mutt” (as he so put it) is the son of the famed painter Dan Namingha. Michael’s art has been refrained from using “Native American” images in the work he produces in “the city different”. Michael’s work leans more towards fine art, haute couture and mind provoking statements meshed up with mesmerizing photography.

Influenced by the masters like Warhol, Koonz, Duchamp & Hirst, amongst his favorites, Michael too loves the use of double meanings of both words and images. Ever so cool, calm and collected Michael Namingha loves to joke around and have a great time.

Having lived his young life on the San Juan Pueblo (6 years) until relocating to Santa Fe when he was a child, Michael found it difficult to adjust to life in Santa Fe. Shuffling around the school system, being ostracized by his contemporaries, Michael would find other interest in life upon his many escapes from Santa Fe with his father during his art shows around the country and abroad. Michael got a sweet taste for the world outside of the pueblo, Santa Fe and New Mexico altogether, which would lead him away to NYC for college (Pasrson’s) to study design.

When asked about his two-year term as a member of the Santa Fe Arts Commission, Michael’s face lights up and blurts out “I love it. It’s a great experience and has helped me to fully get involved in the arts community and the various organizations in town. We cover many aspects of art for the entire city, including ‘Art in Public Places’, Annual Mayors Awards for Excellence in the Arts, ARTWORKS (art in the public school programs for the City of Santa Fe), Santa Fe Poster Competition and they do granting to various organizations from the 1% lodgers tax which funds the Santa Fe Opera, the Lensic, Theater Grosteco, Santa Fe Music Chamber Festival. I am very pleased to be part of such a great organization”. I’m also involved with F.A.C.T. (Fine Art for Children and Teens), which is another organization involved with getting art to young people.

For the first time, Michael’s work is now incorporating images and thoughts of his home land of New Mexico. Touching on the clichés of New Mexico and Santa Fe, this new work is exciting, funny and very much Michael Namingha.

QUICK QUESTION/QUICK ANSWER

Where do you see yourself in 20 years? NYC

Who’s your favorite Native American Artist? Fritz Scholder, T.C. Cannon

Any young artist you have your eye on? Phillip Vigil

Do you like fashion? Yes

Are you openly gay? Yes

Do you speak your any of your native languages? No, except for bad words

Are you interested in studying your native languages? Very much so, it’s kind of sad that I don’t or haven’t studied. There are oral traditions that NEED to be passed on from generation to generation and it’s sad I haven’t participated.

Do you like Elvis Presley? No

Do you feel a pressure to achieve the level of success as your dad? There are pressures but not “to be my father”.

When did you start ink jet art? 1997

What was you favorite job? Working for Hermes

Where did you live in NYC? Chelsea

Would you like to sculpt? I want to bronze one of my moms Hermes Bags.

What are you trying to say with your art? It depends

Depends on what? What I’m trying to say, at the time.

Do you consider yourself a “bad boy” artist? Sometimes (he giggles)

Do you go to the pueblo much? No

Do you want to design fashion? The prints for the fabric

THANK YOU MICHAEL!