ed natiya

Navajo artist and sculptor, Ed Natiya Saxon, comes from a very proud and noble heritage. His Navajo name, Natiya, was given to him at birth and means 'everywhere; all over; at once'. A family name, it was passed down to him from his late grandfather, Harding Natiya Negale, who served as a Navajo Code Talker during WWII. His grandmother, Glenna Negale, was a medicine woman and a distinguished and honored Navajo rug weaver. His great grandfather, Manuelito Begay, was a well-known medicine man and tribal counselor for the Crown Point area in northwest New Mexico. Natiya's great-great-grandfather, ‘Bullet Hole’ Manuelito, was one of the last Chiefs of the Navajo in the 1860s when Kit Carson gathered the Navajo for the historic 'Long Walk' to Fort Sumner, New Mexico.

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In the footsteps of this rich legacy, Ed Natiya is fast becoming one of this country's leading Native American artists. Born in 1972, Natiya's prodigious talent for art was recognized early. From the time he was a small child, his mother, Mary 'Ah-so-bah' Saxon, who herself is an accomplished Navajo potter, taught Natiya the fine art craft of making and designing traditional southwest pottery and figurines. Through the use of these basic earthen materials, Natiya's love for Art and Sculpture first became manifest. Throughout his schooling, teachers, and administrators quickly recognized his inborn artistic talent and abilities. They continued to help him develop his skills and encouraged him to enter a few art competitions. After winning several awards, Natiya decided to continue his study of Art and Art history at the University of New Mexico where he received his 'Bachelor's Degree in Fine Art'. Following graduation, Natiya began to pursue a career in art seriously.

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However, as many artists can tell you, the road to success is not an easy one. In order to support his growing family, Natiya worked for many years as the manager of a local art supply store. While at night, Natiya continued to hone his talent and skills to produce wonderful works of Art. Having never given up on his dream, his perseverance has been well rewarded.

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Natiya's work is currently shown in numerous galleries, museums, and universities throughout the United States. He has received numerous awards for his creative depictions of Native American culture and history. Including the prestigious “Best of Class,” the top award in Sculpture overall at the 2016 Santa Fe Indian Market. He now sculpts full-time and lives in Albuquerque, New Mexico with his wife, Jayme.

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Natiya’s humble yet strong Navajo roots have kept him grounded. He is able to capture the essence of Native peoples from a very genuine perspective. He feels there is still much to learn and to share about the genuine nature and wisdom of Native peoples. His sculptures radiate with life, love, and beauty, and speak to both young and old alike. Through his extraordinary work, he elegantly brings to life their stories, wisdom, and history.