Gerald Nailor Sr. facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gerald Nailor
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| Toh Yah | |
Quail by Gerald Nailor, serigraph, 1951. Note stylized sideoats grama grass in background.
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| Born | January 21, 1917 |
| Died | August 13, 1952 (aged 35) |
| Nationality | Navajo Nation |
| Education | Dorothy Dunn's Studio, Santa Fe Indian School |
| Alma mater | University of Oklahoma |
| Known for | Painting |
| Style | Santa Fe Studio Style |
| Spouse(s) | Santana Simbola |
Gerald Nailor Sr. (also known as Toh Yah, which means "Walking By the River" in Navajo) was a very talented Navajo painter. He was born on January 21, 1917, and passed away on August 13, 1952. Gerald Nailor was known for his unique art style, often called the Santa Fe Studio Style. One of his most famous works is a large mural that tells the story of the Navajo people. This mural is in the Navajo Nation Council Chamber, a very important building that is now a National Historic Landmark.
Early Life and Education
Gerald Nailor was born in 1917 in a place called Pinedale, New Mexico. His Navajo name, Toh Yah, means "Walking By the River."
He started his education at the Albuquerque Indian School, where he studied from 1930 to 1934. After that, he went to the Santa Fe Indian School. There, he learned a lot about art from a famous teacher named Dorothy Dunn. He studied with her from 1935 to 1937. Later, he also learned from other artists like Kenneth M. Chapman and a mural painter named Olle Nordmark.
Family Life
Gerald Nailor met his wife, Santana Simbola, while she was working as a nurse at the Santa Fe Indian Hospital. After they got married, they moved to Picuris Pueblo, New Mexico.
They built their family there and had five children. One of their sons, Gerald Nailor Jr., also grew up to become an artist, following in his father's footsteps.
His Art Career
In 1937, Gerald Nailor teamed up with his good friend, the artist Allan Houser. Allan Houser was a Chiricahua Apache artist. Together, they opened an art studio in Santa Fe. They used this studio to create paintings and also to make special art prints called silkscreen prints.
Gerald Nailor also worked with another artist and classmate, Harrison Begay. They started a company called "Tewa Enterprises." This company focused on publishing and sharing Native American art, especially their own works. Tewa Enterprises became well-known for making very high-quality silkscreen prints.
In 1939, Nailor, Allan Houser, and Velino Shije Herrera were chosen for a special project. They were asked to paint large murals inside the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. This was a big honor for them.
A very important moment in Gerald Nailor's career happened in 1942. He was chosen to paint a huge mural for the Navajo Nation Council Chamber in Window Rock, Arizona. This mural was meant to show the entire history of the Navajo people. Many artists wanted this job, and it was expected to take several years to complete. In 2004, the building where this mural is located was recognized as a National Historic Landmark. This means it's a very important historical place.
Gerald Nailor's artworks are now kept in many museums across the United States. Some of these include the Arizona State Museum, the Gilcrease Museum, the Heard Museum, and the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture. His art helps people learn about Navajo culture and history.
