Leland Holiday — Navajo Carved Wood Sculpture

A commanding carved wood sculpture by renowned Navajo artist Leland Holiday, crafted from a single log and vividly painted in bold magenta, cobalt blue, and red. The stylized figure wears a pleated skirt and collared blouse, adorned with turquoise jewelry and a red “EVERLAST” belt—a playful, recurring motif in Holiday’s work that bridges Navajo identity with pop iconography.

This piece exemplifies Holiday’s distinctive blend of folk carving and contemporary expression. It is hand-signed “Leland Holiday” on the base, affirming authenticity. With its striking presence and cultural resonance, this sculpture makes a standout addition to any Native American, folk art, or modern Western collection.

Artist Biography – Leland Holiday (b. 1974)

Leland Holiday is a self-taught Navajo (Diné) artist known for his bold, modern interpretations of Native American life and culture. Born in New Mexico in 1974, Holiday began painting in his teens and was deeply influenced by the work of Jean-Michel Basquiat and Fritz Scholder. He later expanded into sculpture, developing a signature style of carving human and animal figures from single logs and painting them in vivid, expressive colors.

Drawing from his Navajo heritage, Holiday infuses traditional themes with contemporary pop references—frequently incorporating motifs like boxing gloves, comic book colors, or brand names like “Everlast” to explore Native identity in the modern world. His work is both celebratory and confrontational, blending folk art traditions with streetwise edge.

Holiday’s work has been exhibited in galleries and museums across the American Southwest, including the Wheelwright Museum in Santa Fe and the Autry Museum in Los Angeles. He is recognized as a leading figure in the resurgence of Native contemporary expressionism.

Condition:
In excellent condition with no visible damage. The paint remains vibrant, and the sculpture retains its original carved form with no repairs or structural issues.

Size:
Height: 36.5 inches
Width: 7 inches
Depth: 7.5 inches
Weight: Approx. 18 lbs