Duhon James, Transmit Clanship Across the Night Sky

Duhon James (Dine) invites us into a visionary landscape where tradition and the otherworldly converge. In his linocut artwork, 'Transmit Clanship Across the Night Sky,' James captures the essence of Navajo spirituality and connection to the cosmos.

The artist includes four mountains to symbolize the four sacred mountains of the Navajo Nation. Above them, the Great Dipper shines, a celestial guide in Navajo cosmology. A traditional hogan stands prominently, representing home and heritage, while a weaving pattern weaves through the scene, its strands extending out to reflect the practice of allowing a few strands of weft to remain untrimmed to allow the energy of the piece to move out.

In the center, Navajo man with a tsii' tł'óół, a traditional hair tie, locks eyes with an alien being in front of a campfire. Their gaze communicates silently, transcending language and technology as they exchange ideas of kinship and mutual understanding. a UFO lands, its presence bridging ancient beliefs with the mysteries of the cosmos. James invites contemplation on themes of cultural continuity, spiritual interconnectedness, and the potential for dialogue beyond earthly realms. 'Transmit Clanship Across the Night Sky' is not just a depiction of a moment, but a profound reflection on the intersection of heritage, humanity, and the infinite possibilities of the universe