A History in Sculpture

Native American sculpture is often considered quite diverse, in that pieces can be created in clay, bronze, wood or stone, among other materials, and encompass a wide range of styles, themes and subject matter. This can include artwork that depicts holy figures or animals, intricately designed pottery and even narrative and landscape scenes. Whatever it may be, each piece carries with it a tradition or influence from the past, with some contemporary artists adding in their own unique flare. Within this section, we feature an array of significant sculpture pieces available for purchase by artists of today and traditional pieces from past generations.

Adobe Gallery

Al Qöyawayma’s bronze Corn Maiden, which was completed in 1985, presents an abstract depiction of one of the Hopi culture’s most significant figures. With this bronze, Qöyawayma offers an elegant, robed form, with an oval-shaped hole appearing where the face might be. An element below the hole echoes the oval-shaped form, but it is raised and adorned with a complex pattern of small carved rectangles, forming a corn design. This piece measures 12 inches high by 5½ inches wide.

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

King Galleries

Tammy Garcia is known for Santa Clara pottery. She has moved beyond the clay with her bronzes that capture the spirit of her pottery with the use of patinas to add color. The bronze, edition of 35, Harvest Time, features stylized Pueblo Corn Maidens and pueblo geometric designs as the imagery. Garcia’s current pottery and bronzes can be found exclusively at King Galleries in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Scottsdale, Arizona.

130 Lincoln Avenue, Suite D » Santa Fe, NM 87501 » (480) 481-0187 » www.kinggalleries.com

Jack’s Antique

Pictured here is a natural clay sculpture depicting Lady Theresa with a micaceous long veil in a serene moment—appearing as if speaking a quiet prayer, blessing or soft hymn. The artist is well-known potter Angelina Medina (Acoma/Zia/Zuni), who made this figure without using a wheel or mold, and then applied white slip to the surface after drying and sanding. The piece is signed by the artist and dated August 10, 1989, and measures about 18 by 8 by 8 inches. Medina also taught acclaimed potters Noreen Simplicio and Anderson Peynetsa.

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

Greyshoes (Upton Ethelbah Jr.)

Santa Clara Pueblo Ram Dancers is one of Greyshoes’ most ambitious sculptures in terms of its size, subject matter and the technical ability required to render this level of detail in Portuguese marble. The inspiration for this piece comes from an extraordinary experience Greyshoes had when he was participating in his 40th annual Santa Clara Pueblo Deer and Buffalo dance. This ceremonial dance features regalia depicting a myriad of animals indigenous to Northern New Mexico, including deer, elk, buffalo, antelope and bighorn mountain sheep (rams).

(505) 270-8080 » upton@greyshoes.com » www.greyshoes.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. Bryon’s 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 hand made with dignity and the finest in craftsmanship. Featured here is Bering Sea Kayak Hunter made of whalebone.

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