Sheldon Harvey:
Sacred Fire, Waterbirds and Ye’í

Chimayo Trading Staff Report | January 2026

Sheldon Harvey, a Diné (Navajo) artist born in 1978 in Lukachukai, Arizona, has emerged as a powerful voice in contemporary Native American art, blending traditional Navajo storytelling with modern artistic techniques.

Our New Arrivals from Sheldon Harvey include three paintings and three sculptures. Come to Chimayo Trading Del Norte in Ranchos de Taos or visit our website at chimayotrading.com to see all these and many more from contemporary native artist Sheldon Harvey.

“Fire Dwellers”
Oil on gallery wrapped canvas
40″ x 30″
$5400

In Navajo (Diné) culture and traditions, fire (kǫʼ or koʼ) holds profound sacredness as a central element of life, spirituality, harmony, and protection. It is viewed as a living force and a gift from the Holy People (Diyin Dineʼé), embodying balance, warmth, nourishment, and spiritual power. Fire is considered the center of all life in the Diné way. Traditional Navajo homes, known as hogans (hooghan), are built around a central fire pit or hearth. This placement mirrors the sacred structure of the universe, with the fire representing the heart of the home and symbolizing harmony (hózhǫ́).

While fire appears in broader Navajo emergence stories and cosmology (e.g., references to light, creation, and elements in the Diné Bahaneʼ), it is not typically personified as a deity. Instead, it manifests as an ever-present, sustaining force tied to the Holy People. Traditional teachings emphasize treating fire with respect—never wasting it, properly extinguishing it when not in use, and recognizing its role in sustaining physical and spiritual well-being.

“Water Bird” (Anhinga)
Oil on board
20″ x 16″
$3300

The anhinga holds notable symbolic importance in Native American traditions. It’s often revered as the “Peyote Bird” or quintessential “water bird,” symbolizing life, water (a sacred element), and serving as a messenger. Additional names include the “water turkey”, the “Grecian Lady” and “the Jesus bird”.

“Flickering Scintillations”
Oil on board
20″ x 16″
$3800

Known for his Ye’í sculptures that are said to be loosely associated with the Ye’í of first Navajo peoples, Harvey evokes an energy that runs through everything he touches. As a painter, Harvey plays with lost and found shapes, color shifts and composition. Revealing the breadth and strength of his talent, this cohesion of his vision that has won him awards and great respect worldwide.

“Ye’í”
24.5″ x 13.5″ x 7″
$2600

The Ye’í are often described as benevolent supernatural entities that serve as intermediaries or messengers between the Diné people and the universe maintaining harmony (hózhǫ́) with nature.

“Ye’í”
30″ x 15″ x 8″
$2600

Ye’í appear in several forms of traditional Navajo art, always with deep respect and remain a vital part of living Diné spirituality, symbolizing connection to nature’s forces, and the ongoing quest for balance and well-being.

“Ye’í”
32.5″ x 14.5″ x 8.5″
$2800

These sculptures represent Sheldon Harvey’s own unique technique, using found objects like drift wood, scrap wood and textures found during his travels around the reservation.

Here at Chimayo Trading del Norte beyond these new arrivals, we have an exceptional collection of Sheldon Harvey’s paintings and sculptures that embody a piece of Navajo folklore channeled through Harvey’s creative spirit.

If you have enjoyed our newsletters and learning about the artists and artwork we represent, or if you’ve had a good experience visiting our gallery, please take a moment to let us know by leaving a review using the links below.

Come to the gallery to see where History Meets Art in Taos..

#1 Saint Francis Church Plaza
Ranchos de Taos, NM 87557

575.758.0504

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Contact us directly to discuss and evaluate your collection. If you’re an artist, contact us about the possibility of selling your art on consignment or direct wholesale purchase.

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