Carving Connection

For centuries, Native American tribes have practiced the art of carving using materials like wood and stone to illuminate their ties to nature and their culture. Tribes of the Pacific Northwest are known for their intricate and deeply symbolic totems, whereas the Zuni carved fetishes, the Hopi focused on katsina dolls and the Cherokee made functional pieces. In this section, we’ve gathered a grouping of carvings that are available for purchase through prominent galleries, dealers and artists. The works exemplify how these traditions have remained intact and continue to inspire. These masterpieces are not only aesthetically beautiful works, but they also enrich our lives through storytelling, spirituality and connection.

Blue Rain Gallery

This piece carved in cottonwood root and titled Crow Kachina, by Curtis Naseyowma, features the Crow Mother from Hopi tradition, also known as Angwusnasomtaka. “She is a distinguished figure that appears on all three Hopi Mesas and appears in the Kiva for the initiation of the children,” explains Blue Rain Gallery associates. “She is seen holding yucca blades that are handed off to another kachina and used for whipping the children. At the end of their whipping, the Crow Mother will lift her skirt and the children will have an opportunity to whip the Crow Mother, giving the same treatment they received.” Naseyowma’s katsina measures 141⁄2 inches by 12 inches (base included).

544 S. Guadalupe Street » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (505) 954-9902
info@blueraingallery.com » www.blueraingallery.com

The Dancing Rabbit Gallery

This lovely maiden is carved from elk antler with beautiful etching details and inlays of red coral, turquoise and jet. Gabe Sice of Zuni Pueblo prefers to carve with elk antler, and he inlays his carvings with semiprecious stones and shells. This wonderfully carved maiden stands 5 inches tall, complete with moccasins. Sice has placed a traditional dance tablita on her headband, accented with her traditional dress and beautiful inlays.

(505) 850-2212 » katie@thedancingrabbitgallery.com
www.thedancingrabbitgallery.com

Adobe Gallery

The wood carving seen here was made by Charlie Willeto (1897-1964), an influential Diné folk artist. “This tall, slender figure is a striking example of Willeto’s work,” says gallery representatives. “The form of the carving itself is wonderful, and the white, black and earthy brown tones elevate its effects. A pair of wide eyes in wispy black are barely visible. A previous owner of this piece described it as ‘elemental,’ and we can’t think of a better descriptor.” The piece is priced at $6,500 and is 3¾ inches wide and 22 inches high.

221 Canyon Road » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (505) 955-0550
www.adobegallery.com

Gerry Quotskuyva

In 1984, artist Gerry Quotskuyva decided to become an artist and dropped his college studies. “I was working as a chef, and carving ice was one of my duties,” says Quotskuyva. “Then one day it hit me—I’m Hopi and carving is a cultural identity!
I literally quit my job and entered a world that led to a life of freedom and creative passion.” The piece seen here, made with cottonwood root and acrylic, and titled Crow Mother, is an important figure in the Hopi repertoire. “She leads the initiation ceremony,” Quotskuyva continues, “thus keeping our faith alive and strong, and is considered the Mother of all monsters who will visit the houses of the children who may be misbehaving to discipline them.”

(928) 300-2206 » loma@gquotskuyva.com
www.gquotskuyva.com

Jack’s Antique

This Frog Kachina (Paqua) measuring at 121⁄2 inches by 3 inches, is hand carved and hand painted in the old style by multi-award-winning artist Randy Brokeshoulder, son of Nick Brokeshoulder. Randy uses all-natural pigments to bring out the details of this piece, along with feathers for decoration. Frogs bring rain, which is important for the growth and vitality of the crops, thus a welcome sight when they appear.

4650 N. US Highway 89, Suite G014 » Flagstaff, AZ 86004 » (928) 526-0696
jack@jacksantique.com » www.jacksantique.com

Fazakas Gallery

Don Yeomans is one of the most renowned carvers in Canada. He has studied and worked in the Haida style since he was a youth; first apprenticing under the expert guidance of his aunt, Freda Diesing, in the early 1970s, and later working under Haida artist Robert Davidson. Yeomans consistently incorporates new ideas into his foundational repertoire of traditional Northwest Coast design. This stunning 40-inch, red cedar and acrylic panel prominently features Raven, one of the most important figures in the oral traditions of the Northwest Coast. As a cultural hero, a transformer and a trickster, Raven’s adventures at the beginning of time brought the world as we know it now into existence.

659 E. Hastings Street » Vancouver, Canada V6A 1R2
(604) 876-2729 » info@fazakasgallery.com » www.fazakasgallery.com

Cool Ice Gallery of Alaskan Fine Arts

Bryon L. Amos is a lifelong Alaskan artist and sculptor, a mask maker of Nunivak Island Indigenous ancient art designs. Born on the Island of Nunivak, Amos is a Cu’pig Eskimo from the Southwest Coastal tribe of the Bering Sea. Amos’ late father, Walter T. Amos, a famous mask maker, had designed and produced the family’s traditional masks, dancing sticks and ivory sculptures. The Amos family has had a lifelong Indigenous fulfillment of Nunivak Island traditional arts, as a family heritage unto this present day. The traditional art replicas are handmade with dignity and the finest in craftsmanship.

1731 Cedrus Circle » Anchorage, AK 99507 » (907) 744-2795 »
coolicemarketing@gmail.com