Les Namingha has, over the years, created exciting variations in his pottery with new painting and technical styles. This jar is entitled, “Our Pieces Make us Whole”.  The jar was loaned out by the gallery to the New Mexico State Museum for nearly a year. We have just received it back.  It is a powerful and provocative jar. The piece is round in shape and has a short neck.  Les said he was inspired by the work of Rick Dillingham and broke the piece apart and put it back together again.  Each piece has a different color and texture. The story behind this piece is powerful, as Les asks the question,  “What happens when parts of our lives come apart? How do we put them back together again and what does it look like?  Maybe, it will turn out better than the original state in which we were living.  When we are broken, putting ourselves, our “pieces” back together, is how we make us whole again”.  The jar has two large sections, one with Hopi/Sikyatki birds and another with lightning designs. As the jar is turned there is a textured area with lines and one with circles.  Near the base is a large area that is polished red and black.  What you can’t see on the piece is what you feel.  Areas are polished or rough, micaceous or painted. There is A LOT of texture on this piece that makes you want to hold it…and the round shape adds to the intimacy of the piece.  I’m glad it had the exposure in the museum and it is great to have the jar back in the gallery.  It is signed on the bottom, “Les Namingha”.