Jacob Myron Koopee, Hopi Pueblo Potter

Award-winning Hopi-Tewa artist Jacob Koopee (1970-2011) embraced his distinguished artistic lineage from the outset of his pottery career, initially employing traditional Nampeyo family design patterns. Even today, his early pottery remains highly sought after by collectors.

In the mid-1990s, he began signing his pieces "Jake Nampeyo," signaling his connection to this renowned family. Later in his career, while maintaining traditional vessel shapes, Koopee embarked on a modernization of his designs, drawing inspiration from the Sikyatki-revival style. These later works were signed simply "Koopee."

Born at Hopi Pueblo in 1970, Jacob Myron Koopee's promising career was tragically cut short by his passing in the summer of 2011 at the young age of 41. As the grandson of Marie Koopee, great-grandson of Nellie Douma Nampeyo (1896-1978), and great-great-grandson of the iconic Nampeyo of Hano, Koopee stood at the zenith of his artistic achievement, having garnered numerous awards for his exceptional work. Widely regarded as one of the finest contemporary Hopi potters, his untimely death represented a significant loss for collectors of exquisite Pueblo pottery.

Reference: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.  Artist Photo by Tom Tallant.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Nellie Douma Nampeyo, Nampeyo of Hano