Authentic Navajo Sandpainting

Sandpaintings originate from Navajo healing ceremonies. The medicine man builds a sandpainting and places the patient in the middle of it. To aid in the healing process, sand from the painting is rubbed over certain parts of the patient's body. When the ceremony is over, the sandpainting is destroyed, thereby destroying the illness.
This Navajo symbol of healing is now appreciated as a work of art.

About the Artist

Native American artist James Cambridge was born July 12, 1954 in Ft. Defiance, Arizona and is a member of the Navajo Tribe.

James has always had a deep appreciation of art and has experimented in many media. Sandpainting since 1982, this self-taught artist has created a style uniquely his own.

The "sand art" style of sandpainting allows the artist to symbolically express some very personal feelings. Many paintings incorporate figures from the Navajo culture as well as other Native American cultures. This is a personal attempt to restore friendship and unity between all tribes and nations.

Cambridge's work has been exhibited and won top awards at the Inter-Tribal Indian Ceremonial in Gallup, New Mexico. He is also featured in The Navajo Art of Sandpainting.

James currently resides in Two Grey Hills, New Mexico.