Erik Fender (Than Tsidih - Sun Bird)

Erik Fender (Than Tsidih – Sun Bird), born in 1970, is the son of Martha Appleleaf. He began working with clay at the age of 10, inspired by both his mother and his grandmother, Carmelita Dunlap. At 17, he earned an award in a Congressional Art competition for his exploration of color, a pursuit that led him to experiment with various clays and techniques to create new hues for his pottery. By the age of 22, he apprenticed with his mother to learn the traditional styles and designs of San Ildefonso pottery.

Over the years, Fender has received numerous accolades, including awards at the Eight Northern Pueblos Arts and Crafts Show and the Santa Fe Indian Market. More recently, he has focused on reviving the traditional San Ildefonso polychrome technique, which had nearly been lost after the rise of black-on-black pottery.