There is nothing more exciting at Indian Market than discovering work by a young artist that is based on traditional themes yet shows a fresh, innovative approach to those themes. Allen Aragon is just such an artist, and he follows two paths. Along one path he pursues the art of miniature pottery. At the 1996 Indian Market he was awarded Best of Division for "Pottery Miniatures, 3" or less in height or diameter." This two-handled vase is covered with a minuscule geometric spiral design. Aragon’s other path has led him to combine pottery with silversmithing to create a unique style of pottery jewelry. Two of these pieces, a masterful concho belt and a bolo tie, won First and second prizes respectively in the Non-Traditional Division of the Pottery Classification at the 1996 Market.
Aragon’s paths began in Ganado, Arizona. He attributes his easy, outgoing nature to his Hispanic father, a Rodeo competitor and cutting horse trainer. Allen’s artistic inspiration comes from his mother, an accomplished weaver and silversmith, and his grandmother, who is also a traditional Navajo weaver. Aragon grew up with two brothers and a sister on a ranch near Chaco Canyon, and went to school in Crownpoint, NM.
As a child, Aragon accompanied his mother to the monthly Crownpoint weaving auctions. Here he became fascinated by the pottery that the Acoma pueblo women brought to sell at the auctions. One of the older Acoma women, who had noticed his interest, brought Aragon some clay and helped him with his first pot. Even as a child, he preferred making miniature pots. Aragon also learned silversmithing from his mother, and both mediums were hobbies during his school years. After graduating from high school, Aragon held as many as three jobs at a time in the Gallup and Crownpoint area, while continuing to develop his pottery and jewelry designs. He sketched continuously, and one employer saw his designs and asked Aragon to create the shop’s logo.
Aragon creates his miniature pots the traditional way, but he soon developed his own style, combining motifs from Navajo, Acoma and Hopi traditions. He also continued making traditional Navajo jewelry. By his early twenties, his innovative ideas led to the union of pottery and jewelry. He soon realized that he needed a high-fire commercial clay to be durable enough to wear in jewelry.
Aragon has perfected this unusual combination of pottery and silverwork. He sketches a rough design idea on small, hand-shaped clay discs that have been sanded thin. The intricate patterns and traditional motifs emerge and intertwine as he develops the fine-line painting of the disk. The clay is fired for a ten hour period, coated with a protective clear lead glaze and then fired for another ten hours before being set in sterling silver for pendants, earrings, etc. The silverwork is deliberately kept smooth, simple, and highly polished so as not to compete with the pottery, which Aragon considers the focus of his jewelry. As well as combining two diverse mediums, Aragon is also melding traditional and contemporary ideas.
By the late 1980s, Aragon was showing his work, and winning prizes, at major events like the Navajo Fair, where he received a Best Of Show for a miniature pot in 1990, and the New Mexico State Fair, where he has won numerous First Place ribbons. Further prizes have been awarded at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonial and the Eight Northern Pueblos show, where a concho belt received a special award in 1990 for the most creative new design at the show.
1990 was also Aragon's first year at an Indian Market booth. While his miniature pots fit in a traditional pottery category for judging, his pottery jewelry was harder to place. It eventually found a home in the jewelry category under "Non-Traditional, Any Forms..." Division of the Pottery Classification, which pleases Aragon as he considers the silverwork as a background for the pottery work. Awarded a First Place ribbon for a concho belt at his first Indian Market, he has continued to take prizes for his traditional pottery and for his jewelry.
One of the most unusual pieces created by Aragon, or perhaps by any potter, is an 18" Tiffany-style lamp which is featured in Enduring Traditions by Jerry and Lois Jacka. This piece, awarded First Prize at the 1993 New Mexico State Fair, is made of a base and shade of high-fired clay covered with Pueblo motifs. The shade is fringed with 75 feet of silver rope and black onyx beads. Aragon etches even the glass chimney with matching designs. This tour de force is a culmination of Aragon's skills, taking a month and a half of work.
When asked about those who have inspired and encouraged him as a potter, Aragon mentions Acoma’s traditional potter Barbara & Joseph Cerno, and contemporary Acoma potter Wilfred Garcia. As a jeweler, Clarence Lee, Victor Beck and Gary & Elsie Yoyokie encouraged him. The Yoyokies, distinguished Hopi jewelers, first met Aragon at a Pinetop, Arizona show, and continue to follow his work. Elsie commented "When I first saw Allen at Pinetop, I was amazed by his ability to do such microscopic design work so spontaneously. His steady hand is remarkable. At first glance, I thought his jewelry was contemporary, but when I studied the designs I realized that it is based in tradition.
Aragon plans to continue creating his miniature pots for, despite the long hours of work, they bring him great satisfaction. The pottery jewelry provides his main source of income, and he plans to continue this unique art. Yet there is another medium he would like to try. A chronically painful neck resulting from an injury is often aggravated by the intense concentration required when making his detailed designs. Aragon speaks wistfully about painting on a large scale, with oils and sand glazes, and hopes to apply to the Institute of American Indian Arts in the near future to study painting.
In the meantime, we shall be treated to the high level of sophistication and the meticulous craft of this unusually creative young artist. Aragon’s talent is being rewarded, and his work widely recognized. In addition he has confidence in his skills and in his ability to live by his art. Aragon's enthusiasm about his work and the future is refreshing and well deserved.