The effigy parrots by Autumn Borts-Medlock have certainly become a signature piece of her pottery.  The parrots are coil-built and then carved and stone polished.  This is a larger clay parrot that is fully carved!  The parrot is polished tan (the natural color of the clay), along with polished and matte green clay slipped areas.  There are additional accents in white and red clay.  The parrot is carved with five flowers and clouds across the surface. The flow of the clouds is spectacular and carved at various levels.  Each flower is polished red, tan, and matte green.  It is a colorful and multi-dimensional piece.  This parrot also has a polished tan beak.  The tan is highly polished, and the background is slipped with mica to contrast the polished surfaces.  It is very complex in imagery.  The piece is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Autumn Borts-Medlock, 2024”.  There is a blue ribbon from the 2024 Gallup Ceremonials.

So, why so many parrots on Pueblo and Hopi pottery?   In the pre-contact era, there was a small parrot that was indigenous to the southwest area.  As well, parrot feathers were traded with Central American tribes and were highly valued. Today there are Parrot Clans at Hopi and parrot feathers are used throughout the Pueblo world in various ceremonies and dances.  So, it is not unexpected to see parrots featured on pottery from the various pueblos and Hopi.  They are certainly part of the cultural and historic background of these amazing potters!