Gerald Nailor (Navaho, 1917-1952)
Gerald Nailor formally trained at the U. S. Indian School in Santa Fe with Dorothy Dunn and then continued his studies with Kenneth Chapman and the Swedish muralist Olaf Nordemark. In 1937, Nailor shared a studio with Alan Houser and Pop Chalee; it was the first independent art studio and gallery in Santa Fe. In 1938, he and Houser were commissioned to paint Indian Murals for the Department of the Interior building in Washington, D.C.
Although much of Nailor’s work focuses on Navajo myth, his interest in wildlife is also evident in his work. Nailor died tragically after receiving injuries from interrupting a domestic a fight between a husband and wife in 1952.
Information courtesy of Cowan’s Auctions Inc. September 2006