Christopher Black

Christopher Black is a talented young basket weaver from Monument Valley, Utah.  He is half Navajo and half Ute Native American.  Although he learned to weave baskets as a small child, Christopher didn’t begin to weave seriously until he was fourteen years old .  At that time, he learned to understand the process, tradition, and taboos associated with basket weaving. He says his mentors are his grandmothers Mary Holiday Black and Alice Black, along with his father, Tulley Black.

All of Christopher’s baskets are made from the sumac plant which he harvests during the winter in Moab, Utah along the Colorado River.  After harvesting, there is an intense process of splitting, peeling, and dyeing the sumac before it can be used to weave a basket.  From this very lengthy and involved process, Christopher produces some of the finest and most innovative baskets we see today.  He is certain to impress us with his artistry for many years to come.