2023 Award in Craft - Shane R. Hendren
Shane R. Hendren
he/him | Albuquerque, NM | Multidisciplinary Artist and Jeweler
www.shanerhendren.com | @shanehendren
About the Artist
Shane was born into a ranching family who instilled in him a strong work ethic and appreciation for the culture and traditions of his Navajo and European ancestors who he honors with his work. A multidisciplinary artist recognized for his exquisite jewelry and metal work that can be found in public and private collections around the world including but not limited to the British Museum in London England, the Heard Museum in Phoenix Arizona, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture in Santa Fe New Mexico to name a few. He has won numerous awards from the Southwestern Association of Indian Arts and The Heard Museum Art Market and is the only artist to be named Artist of the Year 4 times by the Indian Arts and Crafts Association. But even more important to him is helping others. He has served on the board of the Indian Arts and Crafts Association as well as his children 4H Livestock committee. He has judged many shows but most recently was the Sal Bell Design Awards in 2019. He lectures and speaks about his art, his life, and the expertise he has developed over the past 30 years as a working artist. He will complete his Master of Fine Arts in Studio Arts at the Institute of American Indian Arts May 2023. Humbled and aware he is the product of the prayers of his ancestors and blessed to open doors for those to come after him.
Shane R. Hendren, K'aalo'gii (Butterfly) Necklace, 2021, Sterling Silver, Blue Topaz, fabricated and hand engraved, 22 inches long. Private Collection. Photo Credit Simone Button
Shane R. Hendren, Nizhoni Toothpick Holder, 2022, Sterling Silver, 14K Gold, Sapphires, Pink Tourmaline, Fabricated and hand engraved, 4 inches tall 1 1/2 inches wide. It was commissioned for the Elegant Vessels: A Century of Southwest Silver Boxes Exhibition at the Heard Museum in Phoenix AZ and the accompanying book. Photo Credit Simone ButtonButterfly
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The Maxwell/Hanrahan Foundation Awards in Craft recognizes practitioners committed to material mastery and exploration with practices encompassing the stewardship of living cultural traditions, unique insight in material study, and the advancement of craft at the intersection of other fields including science.
