Veronica Benally

Navajo

I met Veronica this summer (2021) when I judged the art at the Tesoro Indian Art Market. Her work stood out – great colors, nice shapes, clean and crisp work. I am happy to add some of her work to our gallery. Veronica first learned the art of jewelry making from her husband, Ernest. They worked together for several years. Now Veronica has her own very distinctive style. You can see her traditional roots, culture, and use of color in all her work. Her color combinations create a contemporary feel – but still reflect her Navajo background. She is known for using different material like pink coral, sugilite, various shades of spiny oyster shell, and of course, turquoise, coral, and lapis.

Veronica’s respect for her heritage is something that she describes: “I am Kinyaa’aanii – the towering house clan from my mother. I’m born into the Ta’neeszhanii- the tangle people clan from my father. My maternal grandparents are To’ baazhni’azhi- the two who came from the water clan, my paternal grandparents are Ashiihii- the salt people. This is my identity as a Native American but more importantly as a Navajo.”