ROXANNE SWENTZELL

– ROXANNE SWENTZELL –

Santa Clara Pueblo, 1962—

Roxanne Swentzell is celebrated for her deeply emotive clay sculptures. Swentzell comes from a long lineage of artists, including her mother, Rina Swentzell, who was a respected Pueblo potter and architect. This rich cultural and artistic heritage has profoundly shaped Swentzell's creative vision. From an early age, she displayed a strong connection to culture and community, as well as a natural talent for working with clay. Swentzell honed her craft at the Institute of American Indian Arts and the Portland Museum Art School, where she deepened her skills and perspective.

Roxanne Swentzell's sculptures are renowned for their ability to capture human emotion and convey the spiritual and social aspects of Pueblo life. The figures are typically based on Native women, portrayed in various moments of introspection, strength, and humor, reflecting her deep connection to Pueblo heritage and the roles of women within her community. Swentzell’s work challenges stereotypical representations of Native Americans by offering authentic, personal narratives with great emotional depth. 

Roxanne Swentzell has been featured in exhibitions in major institutions, such as the Barnes Foundation, the New Mexico Museum of Art, the North Carolina Museum of Art, the Norton Museum of Art and the American Craft Museum. Her work has been publicly commissioned by the Denver Art Museum and the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian. The artist’s sculptures are part of numerous prestigious collections, including the Denver Art Museum, the National Museum of the American Indian, the Cartier Foundation in Paris, France, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture and the Joslyn Museum of Art, among many others.