Delbridge Honanie Painting “Sun Spirit”

This vibrant and intricate painting is a classic example of the work of Delbridge Honanie, a highly influential Hopi artist. Created in 1977, this piece captures the bridge between ancient Hopi tradition and the "Modernist" movement of the 1970s.

The title of the painting is "Sun Spirit" (Tawa). Tawa is a central figure in Hopi cosmology, representing the source of life, energy, and warmth. The Face/Mask, that is the central yellow figure, features traditional Hopi Katsina (Kachina) facial markings. The geometric eyes and the triangular mouth/chin are typical of Hopi ceremonial masks.

The stylized protrusions at the top right of the headdress represent the rays of the sun or eagle feathers, both of which are sacred. Feathers are often used in Hopi prayer to carry messages to the spirits.

The dynamic, swirling background suggests the Sipapu (the place of emergence) or the movement of life through the "Four Worlds." The concentric circles of colorful dashed lines mimic the ancient mural techniques found at prehistoric sites like the ancestral Awat'ovi.

The blue and grey sweeping "S" curve shape suggests water or life-giving rain, which is the primary prayer in Hopi culture, as the sun and rain together ensure the growth of corn.

The artist, Delbridge Honanie Coochsiwukioma, (meaning "Falling White Snow"),  was born in 1946 in Shungopavi (Second Mesa), Arizona. He is a member of the Bear Clan. He was a member of "Artist Hopid," a group of Hopi artists  who formed in 1973. Their mission was to use modern art to preserve and educate the world about Hopi philosophy and values. He was named an Arizona Indian Living Treasure in 2006.

In 1977, Honanie was at the height of his experimental phase with the Artist Hopid group. Paintings from this era are highly sought by collectors of Southwest Indigenous art because they represent a "Native Renaissance" where artists moved away from flat, illustrative styles (the "Studio" style) toward bold, abstract, and surrealist expressions.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: this Delbridge Honanie Painting "Sun Spirit" is from a client of Adobe Gallery. Displayed in Special Exhibit: Ancestral Symbols, Modern Masterpieces: Documenting the Sacred Narratives and History of the Hopi People at Adobe Gallery for its 50th Anniversary Celebration Santa Fe, NM, May 2026.

Reference: Broder, Patricia Janis. Hopi Painting: The World of the Hopis, Brandywine Press, New York. 1978

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Santa Fe, Otellie Loloma, Terrance Talaswaima, Michael Kabotie, Neil David, Sr., Native American Paintings, Katsina Dolls, Delbridge Honanie