Stacey Lee Turpen

Stacey Lee Turpen was born March 22, 1967
on the Navajo reservation near Gallup, New
Mexico.  He graduated from Gallup High School
and attended Eastern New Mexico and
University of New Mexico.  He was honorably
discharged from the United States Marine Corps
in 1990.  Stacey is a member of the "Bitterwater"
clan.

Although Stacey has had no formal art training,
he is a gifted artisan, a gift that was apparent at
an early age while herding sheep on the Navajo
reservation.  He would select sandstone and
wood and carve figures while listening to stories
of tradition told to him by his elders.  The elders
would explain the religious symbolism and
traditions of the Navajo people and the meaning
both spiritual and magical that are created when
carving the animals and figures which date back
to prehistoric time.

After many years of encouragement from his
family, Stacey is now a full time artist, devoted to
what he loves to do most.  Stacey does not limit
himself to one particular art form.  He just
follows his heart and does what he feels
compelled to do.  

His choice of materials depicts the form of the
finished object by enhancing their own natural
beauty, which Stacey says is already in the
wood, quartz, or stone and all you have to do is
to let it out.

The carvings are an art form and must be
judged individually.  Whether your tastes run to
the finely detailed contemporary pieces or to the
more primitive older styles, when you purchase
a Native American fetish, you are the owner of a
representative part of the Native American
culture.

Care of Fetishes:  Since most fetishes are made of stone, they
require little or no care.  Fetishes may be dusted with a soft, dry
cloth.  The leather sinew or feathers on the bundles should be kept
dry or they may stretch or deteriorate.  Older fetishes often appear
soiled or dirty and should be left in their original condition to
maintain their value.