This jar by Les Namingha is inspired by the wild spinach or Rocky Mountain bee weed plant, used to paint both Hopi-Tewa pottery and Cochiti pottery.  The oval shaped design with the sharp edges is a classic image on Cochiti pottery.  Les says that he was intrigued with the open space of the design and how it could be layered.  It is the dynamic painting on this jar which seems simple but is quite exceptional.  Les was able to paint the various colors and the look nearly transparent, one on top of another!  Les says the jar fits into his “Urban Polychrome” series as it looks at the layer of material and designs used throughout the Pueblos and Hopi.   It is dynamic blend of ideas, layers and forms.  This jar is part of his “Urban Polychrome” series, of which Les says:

“The concept of layering is inherent in our mortal journey. As time moves forward, our memories become layered. Some memories remain vibrant, others faint or hazy. Yet others, obscure or even hidden. Likewise, our experiences, words, works, emotions, prayers and songs build up in layers creating our existence. In turn, our societal interactions become exercises in layering. We see this in evidence with street art or graffiti writing where layers of thought and a desire to express a “proof of existence” create tapestries of color and marks. Blending, covering, harmonizing, dissonance, disappearing. This concept of layering is the idea behind Urban Polychrome and other works in the Urban Series.”  Les Namingha