Emily Fragua-Tsosie

Artist Profile

Emily Fragua-Tsosie, “Corn Pollen” was born in 1951 into the Jemez Pueblo. At the age of 12, Emily was inspired by her mother and grandmother to hand coil and pinch clay sculptures. They encouraged and motivated her to learn the art of working with clay so that she could add to the long lived tradition of constructing art using ancient methods.

Emily was taught to clean, sift, shape, mold, paint and fire her pottery outdoors. By the late 1960’s she started making her own corn dolls and other sculptures. People often ask what her favorite type of art to make is and she replies, “Everything I create is a favorite piece because I created it”. Emily specializes in storytellers and corn maidens. She signs her pottery E. Fragua Tsosie, Jemez.

Emily is related to Leonard Tsosie (husband), Rose Fragua, Chris Fragua and Caroline Gachupin.