John Suazo Alabaster Sculpture — Taos Pueblo Masterwork

A hand-carved alabaster sculpture by John Suazo (Taos Pueblo, b. 1951), a respected contemporary sculptor. This figure embodies Suazo’s signature aesthetic: simplified, organic contours that draw deeply from Taos Pueblo traditions.

Executed in warm, veined alabaster — a medium Suazo favors for its responsiveness to the hand and its capacity to evoke the living spirit within the stone — the figure depicts a serene, introspective Native American form, its flowing hair and clasped hands subtly articulated with textural detailing. Suazo’s deep reverence for his material and heritage results in work that feels both intimate and monumental, bridging the ancient and the modern in a language of quiet power.

Signed “J. Suazo” verso and mounted on a fitted wooden plinth base, this sculpture exemplifies the high level of craftsmanship and cultural authenticity for which Suazo is renowned. Works of this scale and refinement appear rarely on the market and are increasingly prized by collectors.

Artist Biography — John Suazo 
John Suazo is widely regarded as one of the most accomplished Native American sculptors working in the American Southwest today. Born in 1951 at Taos Pueblo, New Mexico, Suazo has dedicated his career to creating stone carvings that embody the enduring spirit and cultural traditions of his community.

He began sculpting in the mid-1970s and refined his vision through studies at the University of New Mexico, Navajo Community College, and the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe. Early on, Suazo found his artistic voice in alabaster and limestone — materials that, for him, hold an ancient, living energy and a silent story waiting to be revealed.

Suazo’s work is instantly recognizable for its pure, organic forms and quiet, meditative presence. While his figures are distilled to their essential contours, they radiate a sense of humanity, dignity, and spiritual continuity. Each piece is shaped entirely by hand using traditional tools, reflecting Suazo’s deeply intuitive process and his belief that the stone itself guides the artist’s hand.

His sculptures have been exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally, including shows in Russia and France. Prestigious institutions such as the Arizona State Museum and the Harwood Museum of Art hold his works in their permanent collections, and a major 30-year retrospective at the Harwood Museum in 2006 honored his influence and legacy.

Today, working from his studio in Taos, John Suazo continues to create timeless stone works that bridge ancient Pueblo heritage and contemporary form, inviting viewers to experience the quiet power and enduring stories held within the stone.

Condition:
In good condition overall, free of damage. The stone surface is smooth and luminous, with natural inclusions inherent to the medium. The plinth is stable and displays the sculpture beautifully.

Size:
Overall: 12 × 8 1/8 × 3 1/4 inches
Weight: 8 lbs 13 oz

Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo