San Ildenfonso Honorable Mention Ribbon Winning Plate by Erik Fender

Dimensions:-

Height: 10 3/4” 

Width: 2” 

Tribe: San Ildenfonso 

Item #: 40053 

Artist: 

Erick Fender

 Erik Fender (Than Tsideh or Sunbird, born 1970) of the San Ildenfonso Pueblo, was influenced in the ancient art of pottery from his iconic great aunt Maria Martinez, his mother Martha Appleleaf who was Martinez’ last officially known apprentice, and his grandmother, legendary potter Carmelita Dunlap. At age 10, he started creating pottery with his mother and grandmother, watching her as she would hand coil and hand paint her traditional black-on-black pottery. 

 All of his work is made by hand with clay gathered from San Ildefonso Pueblo and constructed using the traditional coil method. Fender specializes in traditional and contemporary blackware pottery. At the age of 17 he won an award in a Congressional Art competition. Over the years he has won numerous awards at the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show and the Santa Fe Indian Market.