Dan Namingha Original Painting of Hopi Katsina Masks

This untitled original painting was created by Hopi-Tewa artist Dan Namingha. It is a mixed media piece, made with paint, hair, fur, and fabric on canvas. It is a gorgeous depiction of Hopi Katsina masks. Namingha split the canvas into quadrants representing the four cardinal directions—north, south, east, and west—to remind the viewer of the omnipresence of the katsina spirit beings.

Namingha selected a palette of earth tones for this piece, with tans and browns appearing heavily. He complemented these colors with greens and reds, adding depth and energy to the neutral desert tones. There's an abstract landscape here for those who wish to explore one, with a deep green and brown sky that feels like an appropriate environment for the spirit beings depicted in the foreground. The largest of the katsina masks is enlivened by the addition of fur and hair, adding an additional dimension to the image. The details are otherwise obscured, effectively and appropriately, lending the image a mysterious quality while maintaining an appealing accessibility.

The painting is signed Dan Namingha in lower right. The canvas is mounted within a black frame with a protective backing.

Dan Namingha (1950- ) is a Hopi-Tewa painter and sculptor who comes from a long line of influential artists. Namingha is the son of Dextra Quotskuyva Nampeyo. His great grandmother was Annie Healing Nampeyo, and his grandmother was Rachel Namingha Nampeyo. He was raised on the Hopi reservation. Namingha studied at University of Kansas, Institute of American Indian Arts, and the American Academy of Art. His list of awards, accolades, notable exhibitions, and major collectors is long and varied. Namingha is frequently referred to as one of the most successful Native American artists working today.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: this Dan Namingha Original Painting of Hopi Katsina Masks is from a private collection

Recommended Reading: Namingha: Timeless Land and Enduring Images by Author Unknown

TAGS:  Dextra Quotskuyva Nampeyo, Hopi Reservation, Annie Healing Nampeyo, Rachel Nampeyo, Otellie Loloma, Charles Loloma, Native American Paintings, Dan Namingha