Innholdsfortegnelse for October-November 2022/ No. 41 i Native American Art Magazine

Welcome to Native American Art magazine’s October/November issue! It feels like a ton has gone on since our August/September issue. For starters we are back from the Santa Fe Indian Market centennial celebration and it was spectacularly full of life and art. Thousands of people descended upon the market to experience it. Due to rain on Saturday, only the serious collectors ventured into the plaza (and there were still thousands of people out!). This means that everyone Saturday had their new piece of Native American art in their bags as they walked by our booth. Attending artists have shared accolades of thanks to us with phone calls and emails, and many awesome messages on social media about the media spotlight we provided and the sales we helped them with. This…

Yolonda (Loni) Skelton, creator of Sugiit Lukxs Designs, is a fashion designer and textile artist from the Gitxsan Nation and the House of Hax-be-gwoo-txw for the Fireweed Clan. Her fashion designs are inspired and created from traditional oral stories told to her by her late maternal grandmother. Since 2001, Skelton has been creating one-of-a-kind textile projects for clients ranging from traditional ceremonial dance blankets and regalia to contemporary clothing and accessories. “I believe that fashion can be used as a constructive platform to raise awareness on social issues, as well as a wonderful medium to promote reconciliation, tolerance and respect for Indigenous Peoples of Canada,” says Skelton. “As a designer, I want my customers to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of our culture through the medium of fashion.” She…

John Potter remembers the cold. Even for Montana, this late March night illuminated by a full moon was remarkably cold. And remarkably historic. This was the night in 1995 when wolves came back to Yellowstone. Potter, a painter, and his brother, Scott Frazier, were there to welcome the return with ceremony. As the park celebrates its 150th anniversary this year, wolves remain Yellowstone’s most controversial inhabitants. They were that night as well. When Potter and Frazier met a park ranger in Gardiner, Montana, to drive into Yellowstone and perform their ceremony, the ranger informed them the reintroduction had been halted. Another injunction had been issued, the result of ongoing legal opposition from anti-wolf groups. That opposition continues to this day with no less furor. The wolves were stuck up north…

The carving of Hopi katsina dolls is a tradition goes back before the first Europeans entered what we call the Southwest. Each year the Hopi katsina dancers give out katsina dolls (katsintihu in Hopi) to the uninitiated young children so that they can begin to learn about the katsinas, their songs and Hopi religious life more generally. They dolls are carved only from the root of the cottonwood tree and for two important reasons: cottonwoods grow only in those rare places in the high arid lands of the Hopi where there is a reliable source of water and the trees are sustained by their roots which reach far down into the earth seeking the life-giving water. The katsina dolls and Hopi religious ceremonies (most notably the Snake Dance) have fascinated…

One of the remarkable aspects of basketry is the material that is used. By the time an artist is actually weaving sumac, black ash or sweetgrass into a basket form, that material is nearing the very end of its journey. Before that point, the artist had to go harvest the natural material—cut it, clip it, strip it…each basket is different—and then bring it back to their studio to prep it further, including splitting, soaking, hammering, cutting, dying and other methods of manipulation. The actual art part accounts for so little compared to the prep work. But that’s what makes this art form so fascinating: the patience, resilience and fortitude of the artists themselves as they meticulously gather their raw material. They do it to produce timeless works of art, to…

Once used by Native people for food, storage, cooking, ceremony and all-around utilitarian purposes, Native American basketry has become much more than that. Eventually, basketry became an interest of the growing population of Euro-Americans, and by the early 20th century, Native American basket makers and weavers began to incorporate elaborate designs and weaving techniques. They also began using a wider variety of materials to serve as decoration. Within this section, we highlight both traditional and contemporary baskets available for purchase, providing a broad look at masterpieces that honor the past, while also looking to the future. HEARD MUSEUM SHOP The shop at the Heard Museum is known for its integrity in offering authentic Native American artworks, as it deals directly with the artists. In this way, the museum is also…

BIG HORN, WY Just as glass is composed of sand, limestone and sodium carbonate, Angela Babby’s artwork is composed of stained glass, vitreous enameling and tile work. Vitreous enamel, itself, is made of powdered glass that is then fired. The complex composition of her materials is echoed in her complex compositions that reflect her interest in world history and the history of her tribal roots, as well as the people in those histories. In the last half of the 19th century, photographic portraits were the rage and, fortunately, many of the subjects were famous Indigenous leaders as well as everyday people going about their lives. She discovered a photograph of the Dakota warrior Medicine Bottle taken when he was a captive awaiting his execution after the U.S.-Dakota war of 1862.…

READING, PA The exhibition Indigenous Identities: Portraits of Native Americans in the Civil War Era opens at the Reading Public Museum in Reading, Pennsylvania, October 1 and continues through January 8, 2023. The 49 photographic portraits, according to the museum, “tell the stories of Indigenous people in the American West…Indigenous reactions to white expansion ranged from staunch resistance to strategic tolerance. Some societies desired peace and consciously accepted certain elements of white society, while others used force to protect their autonomy. These differences are evident in the photographs, most notably in the way the sitter is dressed.” Charles Milton Bell photographed Native American sitters in his Washington, D.C. studio. Among them was Ol-Ha-The (George Harvey) chief of the confederated tribes of Indians of the Siletz Reservation, Oregon. Harvey has been…

DALLAS, TX For the third time, collector Alan Kessler will bring to market approximately 300 noteworthy lots, with katsina dolls taking center stage. Ethnographic Art Signature Auction is to occur at Heritage Auctions on October 14, highlighting the best from Kessler’s renowned collection, further exemplifying his reputation as the collector who “made the market” in katsina figures. “This is a unique auction of a single owner’s collection,” says Delia Sullivan, Heritage Auctions’ American Indian art specialist. “Kessler’s careful and discriminating eye has allowed him to gather some of the most important and rare works to be presented at any auction of American Indian art in recent years. We expect that these works will enter some very special collections, both established and newer.” Sullivan further notes that Kessler’s offerings at the…

The 2022 Santa Fe Indian Market will be remembered for two things: First, it was the centennial, and what a glorious celebration it was; and second, the first day of market was a soggy, sloshy adventure of a day with unrelenting rain. Now, I’m from drought-stricken Arizona—land of disappearing lakes—so I was enjoying the rain immensely. One of the side effects of the rain was that I found myself spending a bit more time in artists’ booths trying to stay at least somewhat dry. It forced me to go a little slower and take in the artwork a bit more than I normally would have. One thing that was made abundantly clear to me was the exceptional diversity of artwork and materials. Nothing compares to the rich mixture of artwork…

TO START GETTING THIS ONE-OF-A-KIND PUBLICATION Subscribe today to get the best Navtive American art magazine in the country, and the only bi-monthly magazine that highlights the top artists, galleries, museums, fairs and auctions throughout the art market. Need proof? The proof is in your hands. Flip through this issue to see the best coverage of Navtive Art: » Previews of all the biggest markets, shows and sales. » Special genre sections highlighting unique categories of art such as pottery, textiles and jewelry. » The leading coverage related to Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Indian Guild Fair & Market and other top events. » Insight from renowned experts, authors and curators. Find out what all the artists, dealers and collectors are talking raving about by subscribing to Native…

Tim Blueflint Ramel’s story starts with something we can all connect to. Relationships. Family. A desire to capture and preserve the memories most important to us, and to preserve those things for the people we love. A distinguished flute carver in the Native American art community and citizen of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa, Blueflint uses exotic woods with modern techniques and finishes to create stunning, intricate instruments. One of his basic flutes takes about eight hours, and if he’s working on a more artistic flute with exotic wood inlays and jewelry elements (yes, he’s a jeweler as well), it can take months. He’s also decorated with dozens of awards and honors from art shows across the country, and we’ll dive into that, no doubt. But, first,…

Rare Work, Echoing Tradition: Hopi Embroidered Plaques is a new book devoted to the study of a little-known form of Hopi textiles. Our intention is to present fresh analysis and thinking regarding Hopi embroidered plaques and, by association, traditional Hopi wicker plaques. We have studied design motifs in Hopi wicker basketry and katsinam for five decades and have identified numerous wicker plaque designs. In addition to our primary research among Hopi weavers we have personally inspected many major museum collections throughout the United States. As long-time admirers of the Hopi people and their material culture we strive to discern and absorb what we as non-Hopis can within our limitations. In 1998, we curated the very first exhibition of Hopi wicker basketry at the Southwest Museum in Los Angeles. During the exhibition,…

SANTA FE, NM The pop culture that is swimming around in Jason Garcia’s head is made up of equal parts nostalgia from his childhood and his present-day reading/watch lists: Conan the Barbarian, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, comic book genius Jack Kirby, fantasy artist Frank Frazetta, and fantasy franchises Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones. It’s a fun soup sloshing around. Those interests—including every sword, sandal, spear and shield—are in Garcia’s newest show, Tewa tales of Suspense and Other Adventures, opening November 12 at King Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico. “Conan and He-Man are definitely strong influences, but so are many other sword-and-sandal stories, including science fiction,” Garcia says. “More than anything, though, I was inspired by a lot of outward expressions involving women in…

SANTA FE, NM As a symbol, rain can have dozens of different meanings, including life, growth, change, fertility and renewal—almost exclusively these are good things. So when Santa Fe Indian Market started under a massive blanket of clouds and consistent rain throughout all of the Saturday market, few people were truly complaining. Even eight hours later—with clothing drenched, umbrellas and ponchos sold out at the nearby Five & Dime and collectors ducking from booth to booth to stay dry—there were smiles all around downtown Santa Fe. “Yes, there is rain, but it’s beautiful,” Jessa Rae Growing Thunder said from her booth on Washington Street. “Because me and my family are dealing with hides and buckskins, we can’t take our work out—the humidity is not good on those materials—but we’ve been…

ONGOING SANTA FE, NM Art of Indigenous Fashion IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (505) 424-2300 www.iaia.edu/mocna ONGOING INDIANAPOLIS, IN Contemporary Native Art 101 Eiteljorg Museum (317) 636-9378 www.eiteljorg.org ONGOING SANTA FE, NM Grounded in Clay: The Spirit of Pueblo Pottery Museum of Indian Arts and Culture (505) 476-1269 www.indianartsandculture.org ONGOING SANTA FE, NM Matrilineal: Legacies of Our Mothers IAIA Museum of Contemporary Native Arts (505) 424-2300 www.iaia.edu/mocna ONGOING DENVER, CO Northwest Coast and Alaska Native Art Galleries Denver Art Museum (720) 865-5000 www.denverartmuseum.org OCTOBER 1-2 ALBUQUERQUE, NM SWAIA Albuquerque Market Various Locations www.swaia.org ONGOING PHOENIX, AZ When Rez Dogs Howl Pueblo Grande Museum & Archaeological Park (602) 495-0901 www.pueblogrande.com NOVEMBER 12 SANTA FE, NM Jason Garcia: Tewa Tales of Suspense King Galleries (480) 440-3912 www.kinggalleries.com OCTOBER 1-6 ONTARIO, CANADA…

1880 to Present This article is excerpted from my soon-to-be published book, Hopi Katsina Art Anomalies: The Unusual, the Rare and the Unique, from Rio Nuevo Press in Tucson, Arizona. The topic is general carving styles from 1880 to present. A photo accompanies each category in order to illustrate the specific characteristics. CATEGORY 1 1880 to 1910: Early Traditional Note the very minimal carving and simple paint (although worn). This is a minimalist form. CATEGORY 2 1910 to Late 1920s: Late Traditional This katsina is Aaloosaka, a deity. By the 1920s, many katsinam had become rather standardized in form. Hands were generally placed in the so-called “belly or tummy ache position.” The Hopi call such carvings “ponotutuyqa” or “one with a stomach ache.” The hands in this position were not…

For centuries, Native American tribes have practiced the art of carving using materials like wood and stone to illuminate their ties to nature and their culture. Tribes of the Pacific Northwest are known for their intricate and deeply symbolic totems, whereas the Zuni carved fetishes, the Hopi focused on katsina dolls and the Cherokee made functional pieces. In this section, we’ve gathered a grouping of carvings that are available for purchase through prominent galleries, dealers and artists. The works exemplify how these traditions have remained intact and continue to inspire. These masterpieces are not only aesthetically beautiful works, but they also enrich our lives through storytelling, spirituality and connection. BLUE RAIN GALLERY This piece carved in cottonwood root and titled Crow Kachina, by Curtis Naseyowma, features the Crow Mother from…

Pre-dating pottery and stone carving, basketry is a very ancient craft (8000-6000 B.C.), but there are not many actual examples that exist because, by nature, baskets are made of fragile and biodegradable materials. As a craft of necessity, basket weaving has been used for everything from sandals to sleeping mats, huts, nets for catching fish, wind shields, holding pens for animals, seed hoppers and even wine strainers. The earliest example of basketry found in the Americas was in Danger Cave, Utah, where pieces of twined baskets and sandals, dating back to 7000 B.C., were found. The oldest baskets have been found in the American Southwest due to the dry climate which helped preserve baskets that are 8,000 years old. As such an important part of Native American life, each basket…

FORT WORTH, TX This October, the Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents one of the first major exhibitions to explore the medium of photography through an Indigenous lens. On view from October 30 to January 22, 2023, Speaking with Light: Contemporary Indigenous Photography highlights the photography of more than 30 Indigenous artists working today, including prints by Hulleah Tsinhnahjinnie, Wendy Red Star and Nicholas Galanin; site-responsive installations by Kapulani Landgraf and Jolene Rickard; as well as a new large-scale photo weaving by Sarah Sense, commissioned by the Carter. “Speaking with Light is rooted in an Indigenous outlook. In simplest form, it recognizes the breadth and vibrancy of photographs made by Indigenous artists today, pointing out the intertwined issues they address about sovereignty, survivance, identity and nationhood,” says John Rohrbach,…

PHOENIX, AZ Earlier in 2022, Thomas “Breeze” Marcus moved back to the Salt River Pima Community northeast of Phoenix. Coming from a suburb closer to Downtown Phoenix, Marcus remembers those first nights listening to the dogs in his more rural surroundings. “They would start howling at night. Basically anytime a car drove by you’d hear barks and howls. It’s just a part of life there in the community,” he says, adding that after several nights his perception of what he was hearing was slowly changing. “You start to realize that every bark or howl was probably because [of] a police car or ambulance. It just felt like the dogs were alerting each other, or even grieving for something bad that might be happening. Those howls suddenly weren’t howls—they were something…

CHEROKEE, NC First launched in 2018 and organized by both the Sequoyah Fund and the Ray Kinsland Leadership Institute, the Kananesgi Art Market and Fashion Show returns to showcase and support Eastern Band Cherokee Indian artists (EBCI). The event kicks off at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Resort, with the market at the Riverwalk Shops from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on November 5, and ends in the Council Fire Ballroom with the fashion show at 5:30 p.m. New to this year’s event is the First Fire Art Competition, where prize money is awarded to artists in 11 art categories. “What’s special about the Kananesgi Art Market and Fashion Show is that the show was built for artists and designers to give them an opportunity to be creative, have professional and…

As SWAIA’s Indigenous Fashion Show has continued to grow, not only has the runway show attracted national and international attention, but it has also further connected Native American fashion with Native American film and television as well. This year’s show brought in a huge number of actors, directors and producers, including many who donned new designs and made the walk with the rest of the models. Popular and critically acclaimed shows and films such as Outer Range, Prey, Reservation Dogs, Dark Winds and others were represented. They wore new designs from Jamie Okuma, Lauren Good Day, Lesley Hampton and many others.…

LOS ANGELES, CA “An adventurous and determined young man, Roy Henry Robinson was born in Chicago in 1882 and eventually went into a contracting and construction business with his father after college. In the early 1900s, Roy’s collecting was first sparked by gifts of pueblo pottery and Navajo weavings from his sister, Edna, who had relocated to Santa Fe and whose brother-in-law, Dr. Harry P. Mera, was a curator of archaeology at Santa Fe’s Laboratory of Anthropology,” says Ingmars Lindbergs, director of Native American Art at Bonhams. “During the following decades, primarily the 1920s and ’30s… Roy’s vast collection was assembled, with the details of where, when and from whom each item or group was acquired carefully chronicled.” Bonhams is holding a single-owner auction made up of approximately 540 lots…

SANTA FE, NM In mid-August, as visitors descended into the heart of New Mexico for the centennial celebration of Santa Fe Indian Market, Santa Fe Art Auction was at the ready with its two-session American Indian Art sale on August 12 and 13. The auction not only realized more than $700,000 in sales, but also had a sell-through rate of 92 percent. “It was really robust out there [in Santa Fe] and it was very encouraging,” says Gillian Blitch, president and CEO of Santa Fe Art Auction. “We talked to artists and dealers and everyone was busy. We were incredibly busy, so it was nice to see so much attention in Santa Fe. We were very encouraged by the strength of the market, and in the continuing interest on the…