Nits’ą́ą́dóó Ídahwiil’aah “We are learning from you.”
Diné College Mellon Fellow Shane R. Hendren, Multidisciplinary Navajo/Diné Artist, provides Artist Talk Series
January 28, 2025
TSAILE, Az – Renowned Diné artist and cultural advocate Shane R. Hendren has been named a 2025 Mellon Fellow at Diné College. This honor celebrates his lifetime commitment to art, education, and the preservation of Indigenous heritage.
Hendren, a master artist and metalsmith, has built an extraordinary career rooted in his deep connection to Diné traditions and values. Raised on family ranches across the Navajo Nation, Hendren learned the importance of resilience, creativity, and cultural identity at an early age. His upbringing in a tight-knit, hardworking family shaped both his artistic vision and his dedication to storytelling through his craft.
“I was born dead, then resurrected in a gallery,” Hendren shared, referencing his remarkable beginnings as a three-and-a-half-month premature infant. This profound insight, paired with a rich family history—including his great-grandfather hitching his wagon to sing over him at the Indian hospital in Gallup — continues to inspire his work toward crafting generational stories and championing cultural preservation.
Hendren graduated from the Institute of American Indian Arts and later earned an MFA. He uses these experiences to produce award-winning sculptures, jewelry, and mixed-media art. His work incorporates techniques like mokume-gane, a Japanese metal-smithing style, while honoring Diné aesthetics and traditions.
Through innovative artistry and storytelling, Hendren advocates for the education and empowerment of Indigenous communities. As a Mellon Fellow, he will further this legacy by fostering dialogue and providing mentorship to emerging artists at Diné College while contributing to archival projects that document Navajo narratives.
“My goal is to inspire courage in our people to share their stories, to make their voices heard,” Hendren remarked.
Funded by the Mellon Foundation, School of Arts and Humanities, and the Diné College President’s Office
