The Navajo word for sandpaintings means "place where the gods come and go."

The sandpainting has been used for centuries in religious rituals, including healing ceremonies
performed by Navajo medicine men. A s andpainting for a ceremony is made on the
ground in the ceremonial hogan and destroyed at the end of the ritual.

In order to preserve this long-standing tradition, in the late 1940's Navajos began to create
permanent sandpaintings, changing the design slightly to protect the religious significance
when these paintings were shown publicly. Pictorial sandpaintings which reflect the
Navajo environment and lifestyle are also made. Today sandpaintings are made by slowly
trickling sand through the hand onto epoxy-covered particle boards, using sand made from
naturally colored crushed rock, stone, and minerals for the different shades and colors.

The sandpainting is intended to be hung within a frame or by attaching picture
hangers to the back of the board.

Penfield Gallery of Indian Arts represents sandpainters from the Navajo Nation,
mainly from the Shiprock, New Mexico area. Please click on an artist's name to view their work.