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Emerson studied at the Navajo Community College (1970-1972), then earned a degree in History and English at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque.  He also earned a PhD. at San Diego State University.   At the time of his death Emerson was collaborating with Dine college faculty member Herbert Benally on topics related to Navajo philosophy and healing.

 

His bold painterly images are generated from his Navajo life at Shiprock.  "These paintings were inspired by the mystery behind the dancers of the Southwest.  They are images out of the past--images still real today in Indian life" according to Mr. Emerson.

Emerson's work had been viewed at the Wheelwright Museum in New Mexico, the Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Native American Center for Living Arts in New York.