Maxine Toya is well known for her figurative pottery.  This is one of her more complex Pueblo singer figures.  It is made from clay her cloak is sculpted and then polished on the edges and over the top of her head.  On the front are cloud patterns painted with various clay slips.The two layers of her cloak are carved and there is exceptional precision in the piece!  The figure was traditionally fired.  It is a creative use of various clays along with both sculptural and painted designs.  It is signed on the bottom in the clay, “Maxine Toya”.

Brand

Toya, Maxine (b. 1948)

Maxine Toya

Maxine Toya is a granddaughter of Persingula Gachupin, a daughter of Marie Romero and a sister of Laura Gachupin. She is also the mother of noted potter Dominique Toya. Maxine is among the most renowned potters at Jemez Pueblo for her storytellers and other figurative works. She learned to make pottery from her grandmother and mother. Over the years she has won numerous awards for her work at Santa Fe Indian Market and the New Mexico State Fair.