Metal horse head by Navajo sculptor and wood carver Frank Gene. This 64" high sculpture was created by Frank in January 1996 at his studio in Dilcon, Arizona on the Navajo Reservation. For materials, he uses old, abandoned vehicles found on the reservation to create his amazing one of a kind sculptures.
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Navajo metal sculptor and wood carver Frank Gene, born in Keams Canyon, declares he is a "full-blood Navajo." He lives in Dilcon on the Navajo Reservation. He is a full time artist and his work is represented in many collections throughout the United States as well as abroad. Frank has been carving and doing metal work for well over twenty-five years. He says he is influenced by kachina carvers.
About the artist
Frank Gene
(Navajo b. 1963 – present)
Sculptor Frank Gene is a full-blooded Navajo born in Keams Canyon on the Navajo Reservation and is currently living in Indian Wells Arizona (about 20 miles north of Holbrook). As one of 7 children (4 sisters and 2 brothers), Frank was immersed in the traditional Navajo culture through his grandfather with whom he lived until he was 7. He was able to absorb the history and the importance of his religion and the necessity to preserve his culture which is now reflected in many of his works. Frank then attended a series of boarding schools from Lone Mountain, Chinle and others and graduated from Central High School in Phoenix. Early on, his advisors at Central High School recognized Franks’ interest in creating art and recommended him to the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico from which numerous notable Native American artists studied.
The Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) is the only four-year degree fine arts institution in the nation devoted to contemporary Native American and Alaska Native arts. It is devoted to the study of contemporary arts, as well as the art of education. Unable to afford the entire degree, Frank took advantage of the courses offered and made the most of his time at IAIA.
Offering undergraduate degrees in Studio Arts, Cinematic Arts and Technology, Creative Writing, Museum Studies and Indigenous Liberal Studies, and graduate degrees in Creative Writing, IAIA has graduated more than 3,800 students, and welcomes students from the 562 federally-recognized tribes and non-Native Americans looking to obtain a world-class arts education. In any given year, as many as 112 tribes are represented on campus, with about 20 percent of its student body non-Native American, adding to the vibrant cultural mix of IAIA’s diverse and welcoming students, faculty and staff.]
Even though his passion is making art as a full time sculptor Frank struggled as do many artists and out of necessity developed skills in construction, from electrical work to pipefitting. The 45 year old bachelor met and married his wife Leslie and they now have 4 children ages 2 to 14. His passion is sculpture but his construction skills help him support his young family.
Working as a wood sculptor for many years, he was influenced by the Hopi Kachina carvers even using the same seasoned cottonwood. Those sculptures were large pieces and the availability of trees of that size had been dwindling so he began to phase in metal sculpture work. His preferred metal is a “mild” steel but has worked in everything from old metal salvaged from 1950’s cars to corten steel. (Mild steel can be machined and shaped easily due to its inherent flexibility. It can be hardened with carburizing, making it the ideal material for producing a range of consumer products. The high amount of carbon also makes it vulnerable to rust. Naturally Frank seals his sculptures to guard against the rust.)
Works by Frank Gene are in numerous collections in the United States and abroad.
