Heart of a Basketmaker By Cliff Fragua, Jemez Pueblo, Native American Sculptor

Jemez Pueblo – Native American Sculptor

Cliff Fragua is an acclaimed sculptor from the Jemez Pueblo in New Mexico whose stone and bronze works embody cultural reverence and spiritual harmony. Guided by a belief that “the stone becomes the teacher,” his creative process begins by listening to the color, sound, and presence of each piece of stone before a single mark is made.

Fragua studied at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe and the San Francisco Art Institute, later refining his craft in Pietrasanta, Italy. His work bridges traditional Pueblo themes with modern sculptural form, creating pieces that are both grounded in heritage and elevated by contemporary artistry.

Among his most important works is Po’Pay, a ten-foot Tennessee marble statue honoring the leader of the 1680 Pueblo Revolt. Installed in the U.S. Capitol’s National Statuary Hall, it marks the first and only representation by a Native American sculptor in that historic space.

Through his Singing Stone Studio in Jemez Pueblo, Cliff continues to explore the dialogue between artist and material, spirit and form. Each sculpture reflects his deep connection to the land and his people, inviting viewers to experience how stone itself can teach, sing, and speak.

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Artist Statement

“My connection with the stone involves spirituality and reverence for the spirit that dwells within. It has been on this earth much longer than man; the stone becomes the teacher.”
— Cliff Fragua