NAVAJO
Alice Cling (Daughter of Rose Williams, innovative Navajo potter; sister of Susie Williams Crank; wife of Jerry Cling; mother of Michelle, Donna, Jervis and Vincent). Born in Cow Springs, on the Navajo Reservation, in the mid 1940’s, she was taught by her mother, Rose Williams, who in turn was taught by her aunt, Grace Barlow, who raised her at Shonto. Alice started to make pottery around 1968, and the brown-firing clay she and her family uses, (her children are also potters) is found in an area near Black Mesa. She is known for her gracefully and elegantly shaped pottery, which she hand polishes with a stone. The pottery has a distinctive and beautiful color which she attains by using a light coating of pitch, after the firing with juniper, which initially gives her pots their distinctive reddish, orange, and brown coloring. She does not decorate the pots since her grandmother did not approve of using traditional designs on pieces that were not going to be used for utilitarian purposes. One of the first Navajos to sign a pot, Alice’s work is highly prized by collectors. She is an award winning potter who has been honored with many awards at Flagstaff; Indian Market, Santa Fe; and at various Indian Fairs and Pow Wows. Her work was on display in the Vice President’s house in Washington, D.C., during the time the Mondales lived there. She is an innovator and an inspiration to other Navajo potters.
Susie Williams Crank (Daughter of Rose Williams, innovative Navajo potter; sister of Alice Cling). Susie has been making pottery in the traditional Navajo way for approximately twelve years. She credits her sister, Alice, with being her inspiration and her teacher. Alice was taught by her mother, Rose Williams, who in turn was taught by her aunt, Grace Barlow,who raised her at Shonto. The brown-firing clay which Susie and her family use is found in an area near Black Mesa. She is known for her beautifully colored, typically a beautiful reddish brown, gracefully shaped, and hand polished pottery. Prior to some of the contemporary Navajo pottery found today, Navajo pottery had been made only for domestic or ceremonial use. Susie’s work is prized by collectors.
