Original Drawing "Helping Hand" by Ed Jojola [R]

This charming charcoal drawing by Shirpoyo illustrates an event that probably happens every feast day at Isleta Pueblo when the children are preparing their dress for participation in a plaza dance in celebration of the event.

In this instance, the young girl is assisting her brother with folding his sleeve. She is already fully dressed in her traditional black manta and the apron-like panel that falls from her waist down her front. She is wearing the traditional woven belt and white laced up moccasins. Her brother is wearing the traditional white cotton pants and shirt with an embroidered shawl over his shoulders.

In the background is an adobe fireplace on which sits a large dough bowl out of harm’s way.

Condition: Jojola completed this painting in 1973. It is in original excellent condition and is framed in a hand-carved wooden frame of the Indian School style. There is slight discoloration on the piece due to the removal of a mat prior to reframing. The artist signature and date appear in lower left.