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"The
stone speaks to me by its color and sound. I look at the color and
the characteristics of the stone, then I tap it to listen for a ringing
sound. If it rings, then the stone is solid. I interpret the ringing
as singing, hence the name of my studio."
"My connection with the stone involves spirituality and reverence
for the spirit that dwells within. It has been on this earth much longer
than man and for this reason the stone becomes the teacher, it is simply
what my ancestors believe. I am the mediator between the stone and
the tools; the stone and the viewer. I visualize what the stone wants
to become and I strive to help it blossom.”
--
Cliff Fragua
 Native Pueblo sculptor, Cliff Fragua, has learned the secret of the
stone through his cultural and ancestral teachings. Based in Native American
themes, his work shows pride for his culture and a deep understanding
of the inherent spirituality of the stone. He has chosen stone as his
medium of expression because it is a combination of the basic elements
of the earth. He feels that the honesty and purity of this most basic
of material permits him to express himself from the heart and to express
the spirit that Native people respect an revere as embodied in the stone.
Since
1974, when he created his first stone sculpture, Fragua has created
a significant body of work that keeps evolving with the artist’s
new influences and new interests. His sculptures are featured in such
public locations as the Albuquerque International Airport and in permanent
collections throughout the country. He has been included in major invitational
exhibitions and one-man shows in leading museums and galleries and has
earned highest honors and awards for his sculptures.
EDUCATION:
- Pietrasanta Stone Workshop - Pietrasanta, Italy,
1987
- San Francisco Art Institute - San Francisco, California,
1974
- Institute of American Indian Arts - Santa Fe, New
Mexico, 1973-1975
WORK EXPERIENCE:
- Sculpture Instructor, Southwest Stone Carving Symposium,
Jemez Springs, New Mexico 1996-1999.
- Sculpture Instructor, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of Education,
Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1995.
- Art Education Director, Pueblo of Jemez Dept. of
Education, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1995.
- Special Projects Coordinator, Pueblo of Jemez Dept.
of Tourism, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico 1993-1994
- Owner, Singing Stone Studio, Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico
1979 - ongoing.
SELECTED AWARDS:
- Indian
Artist of the Year Award; Indian Arts & Crafts
Association 2005
- Best of Division, First Award; Heard Museum Indian
Market, Phoenix, AZ 2005
- Recognition
of Achievement Award; Eight Northern Indian Pueblos Arts & Crafts
Board 2001
- Po'pay
Commission; Sculpture Commission to represent the State of New Mexico in the National Statuary
Hall at the US Capitol in Washington DC; 2000
- First
Award - Floor Sculpture Category, First Award - Table Sculpture Category;
Indian Arts & Crafts
Association Show; Albuquerque, NM 1999
- Best of Show; Native American Artist Invitational;
Fountain Hills, AZ 1998
- Best of Category: Indian Arts and Crafts Association
Show - Denver, Colorado 1997.
- First
Award in Marble Category: SWAIA Annual Indian Market - Santa Fe,
New Mexico 1995, 1996, 2000
- People’s
Choice Award: Ray Tracey Gallery - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1996.
- Wheelwright Museum Award for Excellence in Sculpture:
SWAIA Annual Indian Market - Santa Fe, New Mexico 1995.
PERMANENT COLLECTIONS:
- National Statuary Hall, US Capitol Building - Washington
DC
- Museum of Man - San Diego, CA
- Phoenix
City Hall - Phoenix, Arizona.
- Albuquerque Sunport - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Albuquerque Museum - Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Indian Pueblo Cultural Center - Albuquerque, New
Mexico
ACTIVITIES:
- President,
Indigenous Sculptor Society 2004, 2005
- Board Member - Southwestern Association for Indian
Arts (SWAIA),1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003
- SWAIA Council of Artist Chair - 2003
- Vice President - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001,
2002, 2003
- Member - Indigenous Sculptor Society, 2001, 2002,
2003
- President
- Indian Arts & Crafts
Association (IACA), 2000
- Vice-President
- Indian Arts & Crafts
Association (IACA), 1999
- Vice-Chairman - Indian Arts and Crafts Foundation
(IACA), 1998
- Artist/Craftspeople Representative - Indian Arts
and Crafts Association Board of Directors (IACA), 1998- 2003
- Treasurer - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1998
- Chairperson - Towa Arts and Crafts Committee, 1990-1996
- Coordinator
- Jemez Red Rocks Arts & Crafts
Show 1990-1997
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