Susi Nagoda Bergquist “Raven” Mixed-Media Sculpture, Signed 2005

“Raven” (2005) by Susi Nagoda Bergquist is a captivating example of the artist’s distinctive storytelling sculpture. Bergquist is celebrated for her mixed-media figures that bridge folklore, symbolism, and contemporary Southwestern artistry. Here, the tall raven stands wrapped in a painted cloak, its surface illustrated with geometric motifs and stylized human figures—an approach the artist is known for, where garments become narrative panels carrying cultural memory.

Her materials reflect her broader practice: a sculpted form accented with pigment, hand-applied beadwork, and real feathers that lend the figure a ceremonial presence. Bergquist’s work often blends clay, paint, and natural elements to create characters that feel alive with mythic personality. Signed and dated, “Raven” invites the viewer into its quiet story, making it a powerful display piece for collectors of narrative sculpture or Southwestern-inspired art.

CONDITION

In good overall condition with no noted damage. Painted surfaces, beads, and feathers remain intact, showing only light wear from display. Felt bottom is present. Please review photos for full presentation details.

DIMENSIONS / SIZE

19" × 4" × 5"
Weight: 7 lbs 12.6 oz
Felt bottom included.

Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo

ARTIST BIOGRAPHY — Susi Nagoda Bergquist

Susi Nagoda Bergquist is an American artist known for her distinctive mixed-media work that blends narrative imagery, folkloric symbolism, and Southwestern influence. Active from the late 20th century into the early 21st, Bergquist produces drawings, prints, and sculptural figures that often feature anthropomorphic animals—most notably coyotes, ravens, and other creatures central to storytelling traditions. Her art is recognized for its lively patterns, expressive linework, and the use of garments or cloaks as painted “story surfaces,” turning each figure into a carrier of myth and memory.

Bergquist works across multiple media, including clay, pigment, ink, colored pencil, engraving, and mixed materials such as beads, feathers, cloth, and natural fibers. Some of her sculptural pieces incorporate porcupine quills or textured embellishments, underscoring her interest in tactile, symbolic decoration. This material diversity gives her work a rich, ceremonial presence.

Her pieces appear regularly in regional auctions and online art markets, with documented sales of drawings, etchings, and mixed-media sculpture. Collectors value her ability to merge folk-art aesthetics with personal narrative, creating characters that feel both contemporary and rooted in tradition. Bergquist’s work remains admired for its charm, cultural resonance, and hand-crafted authenticity, making her pieces sought after by enthusiasts of Southwestern-inspired and narrative figurative art.