DepartmentTextiles-United States & Canada

Winter Scene

NameWall Hanging/Rug

Artist Titus Steiner Cody (Diné/Navajo)

CultureDiné (Navajo)

Datec. 2010

Place madeMountain View, New Mexico, United States, North America

MediumWool, natural dyes

Dimensions76.2H x 101.6W cm
30H x 40W in

Credit LineMuseum of International Folk Art, Gift of Reba and Dave Williams, A.2022.8.1

Object numberA.2022.8.1

ProvenanceDonors purchased from the artist in 2010s, then donated to the museum in 2021. Donors purchased tapestry new, directly from artist in the 2010s; donation was offered through Shawna Stoltzfoos, the Williams's Collection Manager. MOIFA first offered donation to MIAC before accepting for MOIFA's permanent collection.

DescriptionTitus Steiner Cody is Diné (Navajo) and is of the Todích'íí'nii (Bitter Water) clan and born for the Tł'ááshchí'í (Red Bottom People) clan. His paternal grandmother, the late Dorothy Cody, taught him to weave, providing a means of knowledge, empowerment, and livelihood. He has regularly gained recognition in SWAIA’s Indian Market in Santa Fe and is a member of the Ramah Navajo Weavers Association in Pine Hill, New Mexico, a group of weavers innovating Diné designs using only locally-grown, handspun, naturally-dyed Churro wool.

According to the cooperative’s website:

The Ramah Navajo Weavers Association was the first cooperative of its kind to enhance land-based livelihoods through a focus on traditional weaving. For more than 20 years, the Ramah weavers have worked through a community process aimed at rebuilding Churro flocks, encouraging fine spinning, expanding natural dye colors, and setting high standards for weaving.
(https://fourcornersgeotourism.com/entries/ramah-navajo-weavers-association/655b4548-c2e2-4e9a-b24b-9fc3ca4f3bc3)

In his tapestries, Steiner commonly features Diné cosmology, territory, dieties, and important cultural figures, like Changing Woman, Talking God, and skinwalkers.