Penny Singer
Penny Singer | |
|---|---|
| Born | Teec Nos Pos, Arizona, United States |
| Education | Institute of American Indian Arts |
| Years active | 1999-present |
| Known for | Wearable art |
| Children | 1 |
| Website | https://pennysinger.com/ |
Penny Singer is a Diné (Navajo)[1] clothing designer who creates wearable art.
Biography
[edit]Penny Singer was born in Teec Nos Pos, Arizona to Diné parents.[2][3] They were a military family, and moved every few years.[3] Singer's mother taught her to sew when she was seven.[2] She attended Highland High School in Gilbert, Arizona.[3]
Singer won a scholarship to Haskell Indian Nations University. Her boyfriend needed a ribbon shirt for powwow regalia, so she made one for him.[4] In 1992, Singer transferred the Institute of American Indian Arts to study photography and documentary film.[5] where she studied traditional design techniques, particularly southwest appliqué styles. Singer graduated from college in 1996.[6] After graduating, Singer returned to fashion design, showing her first pieces at Indian Market in 1999.[5] Singer's appliqué grew stronger as she created and used her stencils.[5]
Singer began producing and selling ribbon shirts at markets like the Santa Fe Indian Market. In 2023, they were displayed at the Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Native Fashion Week.[4]
Work
[edit]Singer considers her work "wearable art".[7] She makes clothing ranging from dancing regalia to jackets.[2] A 2024 article in Vogue noted that she specializes in handcrafted ribbon shirts.[8] Singer's work combines her artistic media. For example, she will use photographs printed on fabric for patchwork.[2] She uses art by other artists as well, like buttons created by Navajo silversmiths Michael Roanhorse and Jennifer Curtis.[9] Her work draws inspiration from her life and Navajo design.[2][7]
Singer's work mainly includes jackets, shirts, and purses, but also includes wall hangings, dance regalia, and other clothing.[9]
Awards
[edit]This is a partial list of awards:
- 2023: Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Garments, Second Place[10]
- 2009: Native American Clothing Contest, Honorable Mention[7]
- 2007: Southwestern Association for Indian Arts Fellowship Award[1][2]
- 2007: Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Contemporary Clothing, Second Place[11]
- 2007: Southwestern Association for Indian Arts, Native American Clothing Contest, Third Place
- 2005: The 47th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Quilts, Best of Division[12]
- 2004: Native American Clothing Contest, Honorable Mention[7]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "Swaia Honors Artists". Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, NM. 8 June 2007 – via Gale.
- ^ a b c d e f Lopez, Santana (15 August 2007). "BREAKING OUT SIX ARTISTS USE PRESTIGIOUS AWARD AS OPPORTUNITY TOMOVE FORWARD". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Santa Fe, NM – via Gale.
- ^ a b c Roberts, Kathleen (2020-05-31). "Stories in fiber: Award-winning Dine fashion designer turns attention to making masks". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ a b Allaire, Christian (2024-05-22). "Penny Singer's Ribbon Shirts Are Sewn With Stories". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ a b c "The Incredible Influence of New Mexico's Native Fashion Designers". www.newmexicomagazine.org. 2018-10-16. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ Lawe, Nicole. "Community News". Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA). Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ a b c d O'Shea, Cassie (15 August 2010). "Rich Traditions; Clothing competition gives participants their chance to shine". The Santa Fe New Mexican – via Gale.
- ^ Allaire, Christian (2024-05-02). "Five Artists to Know From the Inaugural SWAIA Native Fashion Week". Vogue. Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ a b RheAnn, Metcalfe, Jessica (2010). Native Designers of High Fashion: Expressing Identity, Creativity, and Tradition in Contemporary Customary Clothing Design (Thesis).
{{cite thesis}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) - ^ "2023 Best of Show Ceremony and Luncheon – Santa Fe Indian Market". Retrieved 2024-08-01.
- ^ KIERA HAY Journal, S. W. (2007, Aug 20). Clothing cut from a different cloth; the artist says her wearable work sold well in the Indian market. Albuquerque Journal – via Proquest.
- ^ "47th Annual Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market Award List" (PDF). Heard Guild. 2005. p. 2.
- Living people
- 21st-century American women artists
- 21st-century Native American artists
- 21st-century Native American women
- American fashion designers
- American women fashion designers
- Institute of American Indian Arts alumni
- Native American designers
- Navajo textile artists
- Navajo women artists
- People from Apache County, Arizona
- Textile artists from Arizona
- Wearable art