Richard Singer is a third-generation Navajo artist. He is from Standing Horse Mesa on the Navajo Reservation in Arizona, the Southwest USA. Richard is of the Ta’neeszahnill (Tangle) Clan, born for the Kinyaa’a’snii (Tower House) Clan. Richard’s grandfather, Tsinnigine Hathali, was a Navajo Medicine Man and silversmith. He taught his son Thomas “Tommy” Singer the art of silversmithing beginning at the age of seven. Thomas Singer went on to become a Master Silversmith and renowned artist. He invented and perfected the use of turquoise and coral chip inlay starting in the 1960’s and became famous for incorporating gold in his silver overlay jewelry.
As a child, Richard watched his aunts, uncles, and father complete beautiful creations from silver and stone in both inlay and overlay pieces. But it wasn’t until 1989, at the age of 20, when he began to seek other means of income to make ends meet that he took up an apprenticeship in his father’s trade. Prior to that and to this day he works in construction during the week and spends most of his weekends making jewelry.
Richard is a kind and loving husband and father and he takes pride in knowing that he is the one son who has picked up his fathers trade. His father always commended him for this achievement
Richard chooses to carry on his father’s artistic legacy of depicting Navajo people’s spiritual symbols and love of life. Through his designs Richard expresses their love for the land, water, sky, and animals, which are a part of their way of life. Some of his pieces integrate the most traditional of Navajo design, the storyteller and the Navajo rug, designs that have endured for decades.
Richard’s father instilled in him that his creations bring joy and feelings of ardor to a person’s heart, so each piece is embellished with love. Richard says prayer is the essential in the production process because all the materials he uses are from mother Earth. He carefully embosses each piece with the memories of his forefather’s principles and inspirations. Whether it’s a Bolo tie, buckle, ring, bracelet, or necklace that Richard is creating he takes into consideration both tradition and the desires of the individual customer. In this way each piece is made unique and distinctive having it’s own style and design when he presents it to the new owner.
