Folwell, Jody – Clay “Bird-Man” Figure (1980s)
$ 1,000.00
This is one of the few figurative pieces we have seen by Jody Folwell. The figure is made from native clay and coil-built. It is an anthropomorphic “bird-man” figure. The figure is sitting and the surface is sculpted to look like feathers! Note the big owl-like eyes and the beak. He is scratching his back. The figure is painted with white and black clays. It is an interesting piece and part of her amazing work over the years. This piece is from the 1980s. It is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration, or repair. It is signed, “Jody F.”.
In stock
Jody Folwell is known for her creative pottery shapes and designs. This is one of her classic asymmetric rim vessels. The jar is coil-built from native clay. The rim and neck are fully polished, while the remainder is matte. Jody said of this shape:
“For the asymmetrical shape, I early on thought about how everything was so symmetrical in the Indian world. How far can I go to make a change? It was a little tiny change of not having everything so symmetrical. Once that became a part of Pueblo tradition, I went on to something else. With the half-polished areas, again, being very observant of other cultures and their artwork. I had seen a bamboo pottery show where only part of the vessel was polished. I called these the Japanese Volcanic pieces.” Jody Folwell, Spoken Through Clay
The jar was fired to create a dark brown-black coloration. After the firing, it was etched with a traditional style of water serpent (Avanyu). Jody’s avanyu has a modernist style with sharp angles and overlapping imagery. Much like her innovative forms, her avanyu is decidedly modern. The jar and design are striking examples of her pottery style and creativity. It is signed, “Jody”.
Brand
Folwell, Jody (b. 1942)
