Dale Deforest

Dale Deforest grew up in the 4-Corners area of the Navajo Nation, around Shiprock and Farmington, New Mexico. He graduated High School from the Navajo Preparatory School in 1995 then studied 2-D Arts and Photography at the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe. He graduated IAIA in the summer of 2000.

Much of Dale’s artistic endeavors stem from his love of the craft itself. In terms of photography, Dale fell in love with grainy film and rough edges while maintaining crisp and cleverly captured moments in a solid frame. His other primary practice is sequential and 2-D art. He employs high-contrast and thick lines to convey bold imagery matched with bright and vivid colors.

Artwork that can be used to not only express, but captivate and manipulate thought and action has always been his goal as an artist.