Mothers-in-Law

Mothers-in-Law, 1977, serigraph by R.C. Gorman. Two seated Navajo women face away from the viewer in this vibrant serigraph, their backs toward us as they seem to converse or observe the desert landscape before them. The figure on the left wears a striking teal and green blanket with geometric designs, while her companion on the right is wrapped in coral, orange, and emerald textiles rich with traditional patterns. Their broad backs and monumental forms are rendered in Gorman’s characteristic volumetric style, and the composition celebrates the strength and dignity of Navajo women. Behind them, the tan desert floor and brilliant blue sky with white clouds create a landscape of spacious calm. The title hints at familial relationship and perhaps gentle humor in the dynamics between generations of women.