Untitled Painting of Katsina Maiden playing Rasping Gourd [SOLD]

Milland Lomakema's Masterpiece: A Testament to Hopi Art and Culture

This original painting, crafted by Hopi Pueblo artist Milland Lomakema, is a testament to the rich cultural heritage of the Hopi people. Lomakema was a distinguished member of the Artist Hopid, a group established in 1973 by renowned Hopi artists Michael Kabotie, Terrance Talaswaima, and Neil David, Sr. The group's mission was to utilize Hopi art as a medium to instill pride and identity, to enlighten the world about the aesthetic and cultural values of the Hopi, to foster innovation in Hopi art, and to visually document Hopi history.

In this piece, Lomakema presents a profile depiction of a Katsina maiden, a significant figure in Hopi culture. The maiden, adorned in ceremonial attire, is portrayed in a kneeling position, playing a rasping gourd. Lomakema's treatment of the figure is gentle, thoughtful, and precise, reflecting his deep respect for his cultural heritage.

Above the maiden, a stylized cluster of clouds symbolizes the life-giving rain, a common motif in Hopi art. A curving line traverses the bottom of the cloud formation, launching jagged lightning arrows upwards and to the left, adding a dynamic element to the composition.

This painting is a captivating piece that showcases Lomakema's consistent excellence as an artist. It beautifully blends traditional Hopi symbols with a modern artistic style, making it a truly appealing masterpiece.  The painting is signed Dawakema in lower right. It is framed beautifully, in a thin wood frame.

Milland Lomakema (1941-2021) Dawakema was a Hopi Pueblo artist. Lomakema was a self-taught artist with no formal training in the arts, although he attended several schools over the years. He was a member of a notable group of artists called the Artist Hopid. In the late 1950s, he traveled with an education tour group throughout the east coast of the United States and Canada. In the mid-1960s, he worked with a detective agency in Phoenix, then he joined the Hopi police force in 1968, during which time he devoted most of his spare time to painting. He won first place in the Heard Museum's National Indian Art Show in 1968 for one of his paintings. He continued to receive recognition and awards for his work, and is today considered to be an important part of an influential group of artists.

Condition: excellent condition

Provenance: from the collection of a client from California

Recommended Reading: Hopi Painting - The World of the Hopis, Patricia Janis Broder. Published by Brandywine Press Book, New York, 1995.

TAGS: Hopi Pueblo, Michael Kabotie, Terrance Talaswaima, Neil David, Sr., Native American Painting, Milland Lomakema