Artwork > All Sculptures, Native Americans > Firstborn (Large)
Firstborn (Large)
Specifications:
32″H
Edition of 30
Price:
$8,400
Scott’s Piece Description
As I drive through various Navajo Reservations, I count myself blessed to witness shepherds tending their flocks (of sheep and goats). On one such trip, I beheld a newborn goat held in the arms of a young shepherd. Time stood still as this ageless act of selflessness and caring for one of God’s creatures unfolded. There was a reverence and peace that washed over me, which I carry to this day.
The Navajo language is unwritten and words are spelled phonetically. NAI NELHL GHA DI is the phonetic spelling of the Navajo word for ‘Shepherd’.
I look forward to my trips through northern Arizona. Even though I was born in Mesa, Arizona, it took me more than thirty years to feel a connection to the desert’s beauty. The longer I live, the desire to live in and visit tranquil places grows. It’s exciting for me to see this influence manifest itself in my artwork. I pray you feel the quietness and peace in the sculpture entitled “NAI NELHL GHA DI”.
Image Gallery
Curator Review
Firstborn evokes a timeless moment of tenderness — a young shepherd cradling new life with quiet strength. The subject’s stillness is central to the piece’s power. There is no dramatic gesture, no overt narrative — only the purity of care, captured in the gentle curve of arms and the downcast gaze.
Though inspired by a fleeting encounter on Navajo land, the sculpture transcends setting. It speaks universally to the instinct to protect, nurture, and preserve. The folds of fabric, the weight of the child’s stance, and the balance between form and void all contribute to a contemplative, reverent mood.
Rendered in two sizes, the work retains its intimacy regardless of scale. Whether displayed on a pedestal or held in the hand, Firstborn invites the viewer to slow down and notice — to feel something of the stillness the artist witnessed firsthand.
In a world full of noise, this piece whispers. And in that whisper, it offers peace.
Get In Touch
We’ll confirm if this sculpture is available now or reserve your place in the next casting (4–5 months).
Phone: 1.435.469.1646
Email: hello@scottrogerssculpture.com
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