Milland Lomakema Hopi Painting “Faces of Whippers”

Titled "Faces of Whippers," this 1977 painting depicts the sacred countenances of the Whipper Katsinas. The piece illustrates a pivotal moment in Hopi ritual: the ceremonial initiation of children within the kiva.

The narrative unfolds as Crow Mother and her two sons, the Hu Katsinas (the whippers), rush toward the kiva. Following traditional outdoor observances, they enter the chamber to meet the children. Each child receives four symbolic, light strokes from yucca whips. This rite is followed by the Hu Katsinas whipping Crow Mother and themselves before departing. The work is signed Dawakema in the lower left.

Milland Lomakema (1941-2021), known by his Hopi name Dawakema, was a prominent member of Artist Hopid. Established in 1973 alongside Michael Kabotie, Terrance Talaswaima, and Neil David, Sr., the group sought to:1. Assert indigenous control over how their art was interpreted and valued, 2. Use visual arts to instill cultural pride and document Hopi history for the world, and 3. Develop new creative expressions while staying rooted in traditional values.

Though Lomakema attended various schools, he was largely a self-taught artist. His eclectic background included touring the East Coast and Canada in the 1950s, working for a Phoenix detective agency in the 1960s, and serving on the Hopi police force starting in 1968.

It was during his years in law enforcement that Lomakema dedicated his spare time to painting. His talent was recognized almost immediately; he secured first place at the Heard Museum's National Indian Art Show in 1968, followed by a steady stream of awards throughout the 1970s that cemented his legacy in contemporary Native American art.

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: this Milland Lomakema Hopi Painting "Faces of Whippers" is from a client of Adobe Gallery in 2016, at which time we sold it to another client from whom we now have it back to offer again.  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, 1979

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