Medicine Flower, Grace - Multi-Color Seedpot with Hummingbirds and Flowers (1985) 
Artist Media Series
Living Artists
Historic
Qoyawayma, Al – Lidded Jar with Butterfly Woman and Mosquito Man (2002)
6.5"w x 9.5"h (w/lid)
$ 7,000.00
This jar by Al Qoyawayma is from 2002. It is coil-bult and there is a figure in repousse on each side. This means that as Al was building the jar, while the clay was still wet, he pushed the shape of the figures out from the inside! They are not clay added to the surface! On one side is a Butterfly Maiden and it is polished red. The Mosquito Man is polished a brown coloration. The remainder of the jar is polished tan, the natural color of the clay. It is not often that Al will polish the figures that are pushed out in the clay, but rather, leave the matte. The visual result is striking! The two figures are inspired by the Kiva Murals and pre-historic pottery throughout the Southwest (see last photo). The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Al Qoyawyama”.
Out of stock
Brand:Qoyawayma, Al (b. 1938)
Description
This jar by Al Qoyawayma is from 2002. It is coil-bult and there is a figure in repousse on each side. This means that as Al was building the jar, while the clay was still wet, he pushed the shape of the figures out from the inside! They are not clay added to the surface! On one side is a Butterfly Maiden and it is polished red. The Mosquito Man is polished a brown coloration. The remainder of the jar is polished tan, the natural color of the clay. It is not often that Al will polish the figures that are pushed out in the clay, but rather, leave the matte. The visual result is striking! The two figures are inspired by the Kiva Murals and pre-historic pottery throughout the Southwest (see last photo). The jar is in excellent condition with no chips, cracks, restoration or repair. It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Al Qoyawyama”.
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Brand
Qoyawayma, Al (b. 1938)
Al Qoyawayma
Al Qoyawayma has created two distinctive styles of Hopi pottery. The first style embodies figurative sculpted reliefs using the repousse technique, combined with traditional coil construction and tactile stone polished surfaces. The resulting contemporary Hopi pottery calls forth images of the Southwest with its subtle mix of desert hues, creating an interplay of light and shadow reminiscent of the Hopi land. This land and the essence of his ancient relatives nurture and inspire the artist.
The second is polychrome and a "futuristic" version of Sikyatki pottery from the 1500s. The pieces are carved and slipped with various clay colors. The precision of the carving and the contrasting colors make this style visually dynamic.
Al writes of himself:
"I am of the second generation of Hopi beyond the broken pattern, a pattern, a way of life utterly foreign to the western world. With the real influence of western civilization, I am the product of two worlds. Out of our family clan, the Coyote Clan, it was said that we would be the generation to meet the new world and make a change that was our ancient role as the Coyote Clan….to be those who go before. Therefore, it is only natural that one of our necessary survival skills, as exhibited by our ancestors, should be adapted to today's art world. Through the gentle hand and guidance of a beautiful teacher, my aunt Polingaysi, I learned the basic techniques and philosophy I now use in my pottery creations.
My clay creations reflect the southwest environment's aesthetic influences and values passed down through our family. Form, textures, contrasts, shadow, and the softness of desert color hues are foremost in my work. Oral history and research provide me with emerging themes; identifying who we are is a profound pursuit. At the same time, my repoussé technique offers a "contemporary" style of ceramics. A particular tradition does not restrict me; I'm free to innovate. I find myself trying to "reach" in my creative pursuit as I strive to bring into focus human and spiritual things beyond my reach. Creativity will always be my challenge."
Al Qoyawayma won "Best of Pottery" at the 2016 Santa Fe Indian Market and "Best of Pottery" at the 2017 Heard Indian Market.