Sand painting is known to have been practiced by three early cultures: Tibetan monks, Australian aborigines, and Native Americas. In the Southwestern U. S. sand painting was originally developed by the Pueblo Indians. However as the Pueblo integrated with the Navajo during the time of Spanish conquest, it is likely that they transferred some of their art to the larger tribe who then enhanced the complexity and artfulness of the end product.

The Navajo Sand paintings, or dry paintings, are the most widely known form of Navajo ceremonial art and considered by many to be the most beautiful representations of the form in the Southwest.

There are two forms of Navajo sand paintings. The first is used in the traditional healing ceremony conducted by a Singer or Medicine Man, a hataalii. The sand painting is completed in one day and destroyed later that night. This type of sand painting is rarely viewed by non-Navajos.

The second form is sand painting as art, created on a piece of particle board or plywood using finely crushed colored stone to representative Navajo symbols. It is an artistic presentation done in such a way that it would not be considered disrespectful to the Navajo people.

Joe Ben Jr., an award winning sandpainter, offers his work through the website Tribal Expressions. Ben is from Shiprock, New Mexico which is located on the Navajo reservation. In addition to his sand painting, he is also known for calling the Phoenix Suns' home games during the NBA finals for KTNN radio. 

Joe Ben's sand paintings are distinguished by their intensity of color using natural materials from throughout the world including: Lapis from Afghanistan, diamond dust from Australia, coal from the four corners region, gypsum  from Cuba, and greens, browns and reds found on the Hopi and Navajo reservations. You can view his art and that of other sandpainters on the Tribal Expression site.

Posted by Barbara Brown.

Barbara also writes for Quality Dog Resources.