About Jeff
Jeff Suina is a native american artist from Cochiti Pueblo, New Mexico. He creates works of clay with traditional and contemporary materials and methods. He has extensive professional experience in 3D modeling, design, and visualization. He draws his inspiration from a variety of subjects: quantum mechanics, string theory, astronomy, J.R.R. Tolkien, and science fiction. Jeff has shown his work at shows such as The Santa Fe Indian Market, Native Treasures Art Market, and galleries across the United States. His work has found homes all over the world.
Jeff completed his artistic residency at the Hand and Machine Lab at the University of New Mexico in the summer of 2023. This experience fundamentally changed his technical approach as an artist and he considers this a significant milestone in his career. Jeff has received first place ribbons in The Santa Fe Indian Market (2023, 2024, 2025), The Gallup Intertribal Ceremonial (2024), and other events he has participated in.
Jeff grew up in Cochiti Pueblo and comes from a long line of artists. He started learning his craft as a boy watching his mother create storytellers and nativity sets. His interests quickly shifted towards science fiction and astrophysics as the clear starry skies and Star Wars captured his young imagination. He received his degree in Architecture and shortly after became a professional 3D Modeler and Animator, with an emphasis on Engineering Visualization. It wasn’t until recent years that he felt the clay calling back to him, and he rekindled the knowledge and skills he learned decades earlier. He re-established his abilities first with traditional shapes but soon found his celestial interests and 3D modeling skills emerging in his work. His pieces have been called futuristic, avante garde, architectural, and they have received acclaim in the native american art world.
Jeff lives in Cochiti with his wife Esther and his sons Branden, Aiden, and Alex. He is a tribal councilman and has served in leadership appointments for his tribe. Jeff is currently Lieutenant Governor for Cochiti for 2025 and it is an experience that he calls ‘life-defining’. He is active traditionally in the Pueblo and is a familiar face amongst these events. His ultimate goals as an artist are to express his ideas, continue the legacy of his bloodline, and to set an example to the Pueblo youth that they can accomplish anything they set their minds to.
