Adobe Gallery Blog

It is no surprise that Mark Tahbo's work appeals to collectors of contemporary pottery.  He is an excellent potter whose creations, while varied in form and design, always display a mastery of his craft.  What is interesting is that his pottery has begun to attract the attention of collectors who focus primarily on historic pottery.  This is most likely because he so gracefully blends his own ideas with the classic Hopi Pueblo designs that inspired him to begin potting in the first place.

This jar is an excellent example of Mark Tahbo doing just that-seamlessly blending his own designs with those made famous by Hopi matriarch Nampeyo of Hano.  He explained to us that the ovular designs, which include "curled feathers," were inspired by Nampeyo's corn designs.  Here, they have been turned upright.  Instead of using the crisscrossing migration pattern lines, he used a simpler set of horizontal lines which are crossed diagonally-his own interpretation of a master potter's designs.

Would you like to know more?

Here is a video of Mark talking about this pot.