Navaho Land 

Mahonri Young created this sketch titled "Navaho Land" using graphite on paper. Young, who lived from 1877 to 1957, made this work during a time of immense social and cultural change in the United States, including the continued marginalization and misrepresentation of Native American communities. In the sketch, we see a figure, possibly a woman, standing near a tree with sheep nearby, overlooking a vast landscape. The work might perpetuate romanticized or stereotypical representations of Indigenous people and their relationship to the land, which were common in art of the period. The artist’s intention may have been to capture the beauty and simplicity of Native American life, but it's crucial to consider how such representations can flatten complex identities and histories. This work invites us to reflect on the power dynamics inherent in artistic representations of marginalized communities, and the importance of critically examining the historical context in which such images were created. The emotional impact is one of quiet contemplation, but it's essential to question whose story is being told and how it is being framed.