AL Qöyawayma, Hopi Pueblo Artist

AL Qöyawayma: A Blend of Tradition and Innovation

AL Qöyawayma (b. 1938) holds a unique position among contemporary artists. A highly educated modern citizen and accomplished aeronautical engineer, he creates pottery and bronze work that is equal in quality and spiritual content to that of the most traditional artists.

At first glance, his pottery may appear thoroughly modern, but it is, in fact, a powerful re-enactment of the ancient Sikyatki traditions of his ancestral Hopi people.

Qöyawayma's work is often described as sensuous, a result of his masterful technique. He builds his pottery using the traditional coil method, processing the clay by hand. A key element of his style is pulling the vessel walls vertically, a technique he believes was practiced by the ancient potters of Sikyatki. He, like his ancestors, finishes each piece by polishing it with stones, connecting his modern art directly to a timeless past.

TAGS: Western Sculpture: Bronze, Contemporary Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Elizabeth White - Polingaysi