Native American Biography: Michael Naranjo, Blind Sculptor, Tewa Pueblo

Michael Naranjo was born in Santa Clara Pueblo and is of the Tewa Tribe.  He served in the army in Vietnam where a grenade was thrown toward him and in his attempt to throw it back it blew up in his hand.  It left his hand badly injured and shrapnel in his face let him blind.  He was 23 when this happened.  

While he was recovering he asked the nurse for some soft clay.  Using his left hand he was able to make an animal.  Growing up his mother made pottery.  He would use clay to make animals, and she would often fire them.  This sparked in him a desire to be an artist.  Despite his blindness he persisted.  From thos little clay sculptures he has continued and is now a well known artist with many works.  He makes many sculptures of Native American dancers, including hoop dances.  This he sculpts from his memories growing up.  He lived this life until he was nine years ole, and then his father moved him to town where he became a minister.