Brian Tsethlikia and Yvonne Nashboo

Artist Profile

Brian Tsethlikai and Yvonne Nashboo both were born into the Zuni Pueblo. Brian, a member of the Parrot Clan, was born in 1978 and Yvonne, member of the Eagle Clan, was born in 1975. they were inspired to learn the art of hand coiling pottery from one of their school instructors, Phil Hughte. Yvonne’s sister, Tammy Bellson, also helped teacher her the craft. Handmade pottery is a dying art within the Zuni pueblo and Brian and Yvonne have teamed up to carry on a long lived tradition. They have been making pottery continuously since 1995.

The couple specializes in handmade Zuni pottery. They hand coil a wide variety of shapes and sizes of pottery and on occasion they will construct a lid to cover the pottery and accent it with a whimsical lizard. Brian and Yvonne chose lizard pottery because it is believed to bring good luck. They sign their pottery: B.T./Y.N., Zuni.