Fine Art - Native American Paintings Hopi Pueblo, Hopituh Shi-nu-mu Paintings

Terrance Talaswaima ”Kachinas Watering Corn” [SOLD]

Terrance Talaswaima, Hopi Pueblo Painter

Category: Paintings
Origin: Hopi Pueblo, Hopituh Shi-nu-mu
Medium: acrylic on canvas foundation board
Size:
19-½” x 15-½” image;
24-½” x 20-½” frame
Item # C4977.22

SOLD

This exceptional painting is the work of Terrance Talaswaima (1939-1988), who signed it by his Hopi name, Honvantewa (meaning "Bear Making Tracks").

Ritual & Blessing: The canvas features two stylized Hopi figures flanking a central corn stalk. In Hopi culture, corn is not merely a physical crop but the fundamental symbol of life, sustenance, and spiritual identity.

The kneeling figure on the left is holding a ceremonial gourd vessel that flows with water, while sprinkling sacred cornmeal or pollen onto the stalk as a blessing. The standing figure on the right pours a liquid offering from another decorated gourd vessel onto the upper leaves. Rain, water droplets, and moisture are rendered in a distinct, stylized fashion at the base of the plant. The textured, deep turquoise backdrop combined with that on the garments and faces is classic Artist Hopid style.

Talaswaima was a founding member of Artist Hopid, an influential collective established on May 18, 1973, alongside Michael Kabotie, Milland Lomakema, Delbridge Honanie, and Neil David Sr. Beyond being an accomplished painter, Talaswaima served as a museum director, storyteller, lecturer, Katsina doll carver, and composer.

The Group's Vision: The collective aimed to break away from standard naturalistic representations of Pueblo life to create a new, contemporary visual language. They used the full canvas, bold blocks of color, and modern abstraction to document, preserve, and teach the values of Hopi traditions to both the public and future generations.