Endawnis (Navajo-Narragansett Mother & Son)
Gelatin silver print, limited edition (50), Kodak T-Max 400 Film, Ilford multi-grade fiber paper, signed, 20 x 16 in, 1200 USD
This young mother rocks her son in a traditional Navajo cradleboard. Made of pine or cottonwood and tied with buckskin strips, the cradleboard is rich in symbolism. Its backboard is divided into two halves: the right signifies Mother Earth (Nahaasdzáán), the left Father Sky (Yádilhil). A piece of turquoise (Dootl’izil) indicates a male child. The curved oak board over his head symbolizes Nááts’iilid (Rainbow). With the child firmly secured, a mother can rest it against the wall or set it down, and go about her chores.