Tsosie, Darrick

Darrick Tsosie was born to Leonard Tsosie and Emily Fragua Tsosie of Jemez Pueblo in August, 1976. He grew up surrounded by excellent traditional Jemez potters and showed an interest in making pottery himself when he was about eight years old. At 9-years-old Darrick earned his first ribbon at the Santa Fe Indian Market. Today he says he learned most from his mother and father: his mother taught him how to make pottery and his father taught him how to paint.

Darrick’s work is on display at the Smithsonian Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC and at the Eiteljorg Museum of the American Indian in Indianapolis. He’s participated in shows like the Santa Fe Indian Market, Eiteljorg Indian Arts Market, Pueblo Grande Indian Market (in Phoenix), Autry Museum Indian Marketplace, Heard Museum Guild Indian Arts Fair & Market, Red Earth Indian Festival and at the Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show. He’s earned First, Second and Third Place ribbons from the Eiteljorg Indian Arts Market and the Santa Fe Indian Market.

At Santa Fe Indian Market in 2017 Darrick earned the First Place ribbons for Classification II – Pottery, Div. B – Traditional, Category 606 – Traditional storytellers, including sets, and for Classification II – Pottery, Div. E – Contemporary Pottery, any form or design, using commercial clays/glazes, all firing techniques, Category 903 – Figures, including sets.

Darrick is best known for his whimsical storytellers and nativity sets of dogs, cats, bears and an assortment of other domesticated animals. What makes his nativities so much fun is that the animal “3 Kings” are equipped with appropriate gifts for the “babe in the manger.” For instance, a kitten in the manger will be offered gifts of fish, balls of yarn, mice, etc.

As he says, “Native artists are using contemporary methods to narrate events, traditions, day to day life, occurring in our communities, which is what our ancestors did but with traditional methods.” His animal storytellers are a perfect example of the incorporation of modern elements into ancient traditions.

Darrick tells us his favorite pieces to make are his larger animal storytellers. He also says he still gets his inspiration from his parents. He loves making his pottery because it helps him to keep his tribe’s artistic and other traditions alive.