"Katsinas Watering Corn” 1979 by Terrance Talaswaima [SOLD]

This exceptional painting is the work of Terrance Talaswaima (1939-1988) Honvantewa ("Bear Making Tracks"). 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. 

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. 

The group decided their goal was 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. 

About the Artist: Terrance Talaswaima

He was from the village of Shungopavi at Hopi Nation. He attended school at the Hopi High School, and then attended the University of Arizona and the University of Northern Arizona. He was a Museum director, composer, lecturer, storyteller, Katsina doll carver, and a painter. This painting is signed T.T. Honvantewa '79. 

What is a Katsina? 

Condition: very good condition

Provenance: Displayed in the special exhibit Ancestral Symbols, Modern Masterpieces: Documenting the Sacred Narratives and History of the Hopi People at Adobe Gallery for its 50^th Anniversary Landmark Exhibition in Santa Fe, NM, May – October 2026. This painting by Terrance Talaswaima "Katsinas Watering Corn" 1979 is from the collection of a client of Adobe Gallery, purchased from Allard auction. Once in the possetion of Raven Gallery in Aspen, CO.

Recommended Reading: Hopi Painting: the World of the Hopis by Patricia Janis Broder.

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