This jar by Les Namingha a creative blend of designs by Nampeyo of Hano and his own.  The shape of the jar is round with an asymmetric rim. This shape has become a signature of Les’s pottery.  The birds painted in black and red around the shoulder are inspired by the birds painted by Nampeyo of Hano.  They longer part is the bird tail, the head is below and the wings.  It is interesting how she created almost a “Picasso-esque” style of bird by defining its parts and then putting them back together again.  Behind the birds are circles and lines.  Look closely at the circles and you can almost see other designs painted there, as if you are looking through a clouded window.  The triangular line is the mountains and below that the sunrise colors.  It is a striking piece and 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