The Art of David K. John – The Dancing Rabbit Gallery

An Online Exhibition Presented By The Dancing Rabbit Gallery

Navajo Flute Music Courtesy of Andrew Thomas

All rights reserved

The Art of David K. John

katie@thedancingrabbitgallery.com davidkjohn1@gmail.com www.thedancingrabbitgallery.com

All of the images are copyrighted by the owners, either The Dancing Rabbit Gallery or David K. John, as noted on the slides.

If you wish to acquire any painting which is identified by The Dancing Rabbit Gallery at the bottom of the slide, please contact us at:

Similarly, if you wish to acquire any painting which is identified by David K. John at the bottom of the slide, please contact him at:

If there is a painting that you love, and it is unfortunately already sold, you may discuss with David the possibility of him painting a similar one for you.

Please fee free to let your friends know about this Exhibition, which will run as a Featured Exhibition on The Dancing Rabbit Gallery website,
through the end of May, 2021.

A sense of peace and tranquility embraces admirers of David K. John's paintings.

David K. John is known for abstract Indian symbolism painting, sculpture, and ceramics.

David K. John grew up in the Navajo Nation under the tutelage of his grandfather, a Navajo medicine man. Here he learned the stories and teachings of his homeland. In his art, David expresses his own interpretations of his childhood learning with the utmost care and respect.

David began his formal art training in high school. He went on to major in art in college.

His early works were mostly portraits and nature figures.

Hosteen 24” x 20”
Photo courtesy of SWAIA

Two Healing Medicines
30” x 30”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

David moved into more contemporary art and into the use of acrylics.

He began to focus on his spiritual background for subject matter.

The Yei figures reflect the Navajo connection between the spirit world and the real world.

Kayenta Middle School Library Mural Honoring World War II Code Talker Samuel Holiday

Four Chants
12” x 16”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

First Snow Blessing
20” x 10”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

David is careful to gain approval from tribal elders for his subject matter.

In discussing his Yei art, David has said, “I must be careful with these symbols and the sacred information I draw inspiration from. My paintings are my own vision. And because so much is being lost with the passing of the older generations, I believe it is the role of the artist to communicate and reach the next generation. I try to do this through my paintings.”

The spirit Yeis are protectors of the people and bring blessings to them.

The Yei dancers are part of the Navajo ceremonies. They protect the water, earth, sky, plants, and mountains. They come as spirit beings from Mother Earth and are called upon during ceremonies to heal the people. This dance is only done in the winter time.

In Spirit DR 594
19” X 23” framed thedancingrabbitgallery.com

In this piece, the female dancer is holding the basket and the male has a rattle. Also the colors of their robes represent male and female. Red represents female or Mother Earth; the blue represents the Male or Father Sky.

Winter People
40” x 30”
Acrylic on canvas
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Important and powerful images of messengers from nature can be found in his paintings. The white buffalo is considered sacred to many Native Americans.

White Buffalo 24” x 36”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

“The hummingbirds are like messengers and they bring messages to the people sent from the Holy People.” ---David

Twin Messengers DR 5103
28” x 22”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

“During the end of the Yei ceremony they sing a bluebird song and the bluebirds guide the yeis back. There are lots of different stories that relate to these birds.” ---David

As They Guide Them Back DR 5114
30” x 24”
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In Ganado Red, David once again speaks from his heart with his paint and vivid colors.

The shades of red, yellow, and blue appeal to David, not only for their presence and vitality, but they also have deep symbolism. Red and blue are the colors of the earth and sky. These colors also represent male and female elements of rain in traditional Navajo mythology.

Ganado Red DR 5107
26” x 22”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

Although the subject of David’s paintings is not new, it is his mixture of symbolism and boldness that creates such beauty and such visceral reactions in viewers. His art is creative and bold --but respectful.

Out of the Mist
40” x 30”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Yellow Cloud
48” x 36”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

The spirit Yeis are protectors of the people and bring blessings to them. They come as spirit beings from Mother Earth and are called upon during ceremonies to heal the people and to bring seasonal changes.

September Wind DR 5109
16” x 20”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

This painting, September Wind has interesting texture, color, and motion. There is an added textural dimension in the center of the painting which provides a transition from smooth to rough, much as summer moves into fall and winter.

First Light
10” x 20”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

He Comes with the Sunrise
12” x 12”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Dancing Yeis
12” x 16”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

As They Travel Home
15” x 30”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Three Dimensional Clay Masks

David also creates three dimensional clay masks that represent real objects used during ceremonies and dances. As is true of his paintings, David asks permission before putting these symbols into work.

The masks are representational since they are made from clay. They are symbols to dancers. The reed represents the basket weavers and women. “I always think about male and female, because they are part of our creation stories and they are part of us. You have to respect both sides. Everything has a balance, positive and negative.”

In his canvases and clay masks, David uses images that always imply a meaning, either in the Navajo traditions and sandpainting symbolism or in his own personal life, as in the petroglyphs he used to see as a child on the canyon walls of Keams Canyon.

What he depicts and represents, therefore, is not just placed in his art to decorate a piece. In his masks he utilizes feathers, shells, reeds, sand texture, turquoise and other natural elements.

The top of this mask has the representational face, while the bottom of the mask is carved in a ladder fashion. There are decorative elements of feathers, reeds, and horsehair incorporated within the mask. The figure wears a small heishi necklace, while the mouth is raised and open to represent the singing or chanting of the Yei. The specific colors of the plaque signify the colors with the four directions: yellow-the west; white-the east; turquoise-the south; and black- the north.

Mixed Media Mask DR 3122
25” x 4”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

In this mask the top has the representational face with the open mouth, while the bottom of the plaque incorporates petroglyph images. There are decorative elements of feathers, reeds, and horsehair. The figure wears a small heishi necklace.

White Yei Mask DR 3134
20” x 5”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

In this colorful mask the section below the representational face is carved in a stepped kiva fashion with petroglyph type figures. The wooden circle represents a rainbow. The mid-section is filled with dragonfly symbols, again referencing rain and water.

The specific colors move from the top to the bottom signifying the colors of the sky moving from early morning with the colors of the sunrise into the darker colors of the night.

Multi-colored Yei Figure Mask DR 3133
20” x 7”
thedancingrabbitgallery.com

Artists are constantly
trying new and innovative ideas. David has evolved his Yei masks into glass form for a further sculptural design.

Cast Glass Mask
19” x 11” x 2”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Water Song
36” x 24”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

David has won numerous awards for his paintings and masks, including awards at the Intertribal Ceremonial in Gallup, The Heard Indian Market, and the Santa Fe Indian Market.

David’s award-winning artwork is also part of the collections at the Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ; the Navajo Tribal Museum, Window Rock, AZ; the Institute of American Indian Arts, Santa Fe, NM; the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, IN.

Rain Deities
40” x 40”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

“Paint from your heart; don’t just go along with the latest fad. Your art will last longer then.”

David K. John has lived his own words – working from his own inspiration, creating paintings based on Navajo mythology and stories. Communicating a quiet spirituality that speaks to each of us. His unique expressions are internationally recognized and admired.

Thank you David for gifting the world your spirit, your vision, and your superb art.

Chants Echoing
12” x 24”
davidkjohn1@gmail.com

Music