Artist Showcase – Damian Jim

The Evolution of Indian Traders
After the United States acquired New Mexico in 1846, the federal government began licensing traveling merchants who took pack animals loaded with provisions into Navajo country. These traders eventually established permanent settlements, where trade with the Navajo people focused on hides, livestock and a small amount of traditional crafts such as blankets and basketry.

These trading settlements ultimately became well-known trading posts, such as Ganado, Two Grey Hills, Crystal and Teec Nos Pos. Ultimately the trading post operators began influencing the arts and crafts produced by Navajo craftspeople. This dynamic relationship between trader and artist has resulted in many advancements in the arts. The regional rug style known as the Ganado Red, for example, is the result of the relationship between Lorenzo Hubbell and the Navajo weavers frequenting the Ganado trading post. Hubbell often used small paintings of Navajo rug designs by Eldridge Ayer Burbank and others to illustrate his design ideas.

A few modern day trading posts have continued this tradition of working closely with their artist to create unique art forms. As in the past, the results of this collaboration can be stunning. Navajo artist Damian Jim, working through the Twin Rocks Trading Post in Bluff, Utah, has been at the forefront of this contemporary movement. By using his talents as a visual artist, Internet programmer and graphic designer Jim has been able to create designs on his computer that local rug and basket weavers have incorporated into their work. Although the tools used in this endeavor have migrated from brushes to computers, the impact is the same. Judge for yourself.

–Steve Simpson, Owner of the Twin Rocks Trading Post, Bluff, Utah