The Great Tradition of Hopi Katsina Carvers: 1860 to Present

"Hopi Katsina carvings have long fascinated diverse audiences due to their spiritual meaning, their colorful artistry, and their connection to Hopi Indian culture. This book reviews the evolution of katsinam from 1880 to the present. The emphasis is on the life stories of the carvers in relation to their katsina art. The book begins with work from the 1880s, which is anonymous. By the 1920s and 30s, certain artists, such as Wilson Tawaquaptewa and Otto Pentewa, developed such distinctive styles that their work became easily identifiable. Their fascinating life stories are told with details provided by surviving relatives. In the 1940s, Jimmie Kewanwytewa began signing his work, which set a precedent most others have since followed. His biography, and those of his contemporaries, are reviewed with examples of their seminal work provided. The katsina carving tradition is very much alive today. This book features many of the finest living carvers. Some work in a very time-honored traditional style; others are innovators, moving in strikingly new directions. All of these katsina artists shared their autobiographies with Barry Walsh; they had full control over what was published. Dr. Walsh's daughter, Anna, a professional photographer and videographer, took the majority of the more than 150 photographs in the book"--… (more)