One might assume that many of the wood carvers are also katsina carvers, but there are many carvers who work outside of that classification entirely. Common subjects are figures and animals, but also bowls, bas reliefs, wooden boxes with detailed panels and much more. Many of the materials are reflective of the artist’s region. For example, Hopi carvers use almost exclusively cottonwood, while carvers from the Northwest Coast might use cedar.
Donald Lomawunu Sockyma (Hopi) Taught by his father, Bennett Sockyma, Donald Lomawunu Sockyma first started with flat dolls at a young age and worked his way up to full figures. Today, he’s one of those sought-after artists whose works sell out before a market is over. Many of his pieces have realistically carved feathers, cactus arms with spines and other tiny details that bring his katsina figures to life. The artist is from the Sun Clan from the Village of Kykotsmovi on the Hopi Reservation in Northeastern Arizona. dsockyma.artspan.com
Sheldon Harvey (Navajo (Diné)) Collected at the highest level, with works in many major collections, Sheldon Harvey has become an influential force in the art world. Known for his paintings and sculpture work, Harvey is also known as workhorse delivering work to galleries all around the Southwest. At Santa Fe Indian Market, he famously holds down two spots: one is a booth on Lincoln Avenue, and the other is a small meeting room at the La Fonda hotel. His pieces depict spirit beings from the Navajo creation story and other ancient traditions. His mixed media sculptures are made with wood, fabric, feathers, stains and paint. Each unique sculpture embodies a piece of Navajo folklore and the artists’ creative spirit. www.sheldonharveyart.com
DuWayne Chee Jr. (Navajo (Diné)) DuWayne Chee Jr. studied at the Institute of American Indian Art (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico, for four years. He worked actively in other fields in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but his love of art and his family lineage of carvers kept calling him back to the creation of sculptures. The Arizona artist often shows his work alongside the work of his father, DuWayne Chee Sr. christinachee06@yahoo.com
Renferd Koruh (Hopi) Arizona artist Renferd Koruh doesn’t just carve; he also wants to innovate. At recent shows, he’s been showing a katsina figure that is bouncing upward on a spring-like spiral, with detail and texture within the inside of the spring. The work is unique and colorful and it has been catching the eye of new collectors. “Creating art opens up my mind to explore new ideas for the modern world,” he says. “I push myself to the new limits and boundaries of creativity. Every piece of art is a piece of me.” renferdkoruh
Powered by Froala Editor
