carved, painted figure, leaning slightly forward with PL foot slightly raised and an object in each hand (flat, round green object on stick in PR hand; longer stick with 2 brown/red attachments tied on in PL); green face with brown slit eyes, a red post nose, and two red ears sticking out; three feathers lie on top of head, and two stick up in back from a small headpiece on back; green, white, and red stripes circle top of head; green neck piece; green arm bands and bracelets; brown sash over collared white shirt; tan skirt with brown, red and green pattern on PR side, gray animal with red eyes on backside, and long, tan and brown attachment on PL side; green boots with red trim; figure standing on wood round with knot/branch stub on back side

Katsinam, c. 1970

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Wood, paintexpand_more

Gift of Tom and Pat Petersonexpand_more  2019.128.4

Not on Viewexpand_more

Katsinam are figures that are individually carved from cottonwood roots and then painted. Each katsina is associated with important cosmological figures in Hopi thought, who can manifest themselves and interact with Hopi people through a variety of material forms and at many different levels. Katsinam appear at particular times of the year in Hopi land, and carved katsinam can be used as pedagogical tools and for wider distribution. These particular katsinam include representations of the “Sunface Katsina,” Tanakwewe (“turtle kachina”), a “women katsina,” and an unidentified katsina. Each were created for circulation beyond Hopi land.

Details
Title
Katsinam
Artist Life
Hopituh Shinumu (Hopi)
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2019.128.4
Curator Approved

This record has been reviewed by our curatorial staff but may be incomplete. These records are frequently revised and enhanced. If you notice a mistake or have additional information about this object, please email collectionsdata@artsmia.org.

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carved, painted figure, leaning slightly forward with PL foot slightly raised and an object in each hand (flat, round green object on stick in PR hand; longer stick with 2 brown/red attachments tied on in PL); green face with brown slit eyes, a red post nose, and two red ears sticking out; three feathers lie on top of head, and two stick up in back from a small headpiece on back; green, white, and red stripes circle top of head; green neck piece; green arm bands and bracelets; brown sash over collared white shirt; tan skirt with brown, red and green pattern on PR side, gray animal with red eyes on backside, and long, tan and brown attachment on PL side; green boots with red trim; figure standing on wood round with knot/branch stub on back side