Shonto Begay “Confused Council” Oil Painting

This small but powerful oil painting is by Shonto Begay, the renowned Navajo painter. He calls this “Confused Council” and told me, “I was compelled to address the confusion compounded by the virus and the social justice movements while our leadership council is facing various ways on wiggly grounds.” When I opened the package containing the painting. he wrote, “Enjoy the confusion of these mystic birds.”  He explained that Ravens or Gaa’gi’ have many roles in Navajo stories and “try not to be read easily.” The painting is 10” by 8″ and is stretched on a pine frame as shown in photo 4. Note in photo 5, I’ve provided a picture of Shonto next to another painting by him in our inventory. Shonto had a major solo exhibition at the Wheelwright Museum in 2021.