About

Cherille Williams (Navajo/Dinè) is an artist from Fort Wingate, New Mexico, who works with photography. Cherille’s art focuses on narratives surrounding family, interpersonal relations with self-identity, childhood trauma, self-worth, and her family’s cultural history in New Mexico. In addition, her work strives to show the unseen beauty of the place and highlights cultural landmarks that connect her Native roots to New Mexico. Cherille’s interest in photographing her mother also helped her find an interest in celebrating the power and beauty of aging with time while highlighting issues that some elders face dealing with trauma helping to share their stories through photography.

Art Shows and Curatorial Work

Cherille graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree with a focus in photography at the University of New Mexico. Her work has been exhibited at Ingham Chapman Gallery in the group exhibition, Student Expo at Gurley Hall in Gallup, NM, The Mothership Alumni in the group exhibition, F-Stop in Albuquerque, and Against the White Cube in the group exhibition at John Sommers Gallery in Albuquerque. Cherille’s curation includes working with the Boys & Girls Club of Gallup at ART 123 Creative Minds in Gallup. In addition, Cherille’s work has been published by the Gallup Journey Magazine, Lenscratch, and The Navajo Times.

Awards and Scholarships

Cherille is a recipient of awards from the Joy of Giving Something Fellowship, the Chief Manuelito Scholarship, the Friends of Hubbell Trading Post Scholarship, the American Indian Services Scholarship, The Native American Environmental Arts, Humanities Scholarship at UNM, and the 2023 Third Place Winner Adult Amateur Photographer Miscellaneous at New Mexico State Fair.