This jar by Les Namingha is inspired by Hopi-Tewa moth and bird designs.  The top of the jar has the Hopi style birds.  Around the shoulder are mountain patterns.  On the side of the jar are two sections with Hopi moths. In the areas with the moths and the birds, Les has layered the designs so that areas appear almost translucent!  The black areas with the white twisted lines are “tying” the top and bottom designs together.  The jar brings together numerous ideas and imagery from Hopi-Tewa pottery.  Les says of this style of his work:

“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.”  Les Namingha

Around the base are vertical lines of color representing the grass, soil and earth with the birds and hummingbirds above. The jar is signed on the bottom.