Original Hopi Pueblo Painting of a Pair of Qöqöle Katsinas [SOLD]

Kewanyama was born at Shungopavi Village, Second Mesa, on the Hopi Reservation on October 14, 1922. As an adult, he moved to Winslow, Arizona where he made a career of carving Katsina dolls and painting images of Katsina dances. He also made jewelry in the Hopi silver overlay style. He served in the U. S. Navy during World War II.

The Qöqöle Katsina is a directional katsina and, as such, could appear with a mask in any of the six directional colors. In this painting, the masks are yellow. This is a Second Mesa version that wears buckskin clothing. The Third Mesa version generally wears old Anglo clothing. Qöqöle Katsinas tell stories and prophesize good crops. They bring gifts for the children. It is their responsibility to insure cleaning of the springs.

This painting of two Qöqöle Katsinas in dance position is an excellent representation of their clothing. The buckskin clothing is presented in a fashion that it appears to be true buckskin that one could touch and feel the texture. The parrots on the heads of the Katsinas appear almost real. Kewanyama was an exceptional artist and this painting is an excellent reflection of his talent.

It is signed L. Kewanyama Hopi 1963 in lower left. It is double matted and framed in a wooden frame. It appears to be in original excellent condition although it has not been examined out of the frame.