Ancestral Symbols, Modern Masterpieces: Documenting the Sacred Narratives and History of the Hopi People

Marking a half-century of stewardship in the arts, Adobe Gallery is proud to celebrate its 50th Anniversary with a landmark exhibition opening this Memorial Day weekend. This premier event explores the profound spiritual and historical narratives of the Hopi people through a masterfully curated selection of paintings by the revolutionary collective, 'Artist Hopid.' Established in 1973 by visionaries Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, and Neil David, Sr.—and soon expanded to include the significant contributions of Terrance Talaswaima and Milland Lomakema—this movement fundamentally redefined the trajectory of modern Hopi art, bridging the gap between ancient iconography and contemporary expression.

Beyond the "Bambi Style": The Artist Hopid Movement

In the mid-20th century, Native American painting was often restricted by the expectations of the "Bambi Style" — a flat, decorative aesthetic favored by the outside market. Artist Hopid broke these boundaries, choosing instead to use visual arts as a powerful tool for documenting Hopi history and the complex realities of their culture. Their work represents a seamless bridge between ancient tradition and modernism.

Featured Highlight: Milland Lomakema (1941-2021)

A self-taught master and key figure in this movement, Lomakema's work is characterized by a sophisticated palette of terracotta, ochre, and sage. His paintings are not merely art; they are ethnographic records.

A centerpiece of the exhibit is Lomakema's 1977 masterpiece, "Faces of Whippers." This work provides a rare glimpse into a pivotal Hopi ritual: the ceremonial initiation of children within the kiva. Through his gouache application, Lomakema depicts Crow Mother and the Hu Katsinas (the whippers) as they bring symbolic lessons of discipline and spiritual growth to the next generation.

The Language of Symbols

Every element in these paintings carries weight:

• Star-like elements: Representing corn tassels or spiritual radiance.

• Vertical red lines: Signifying life-giving moisture and rain descending to the earth.

• The Circular Border: A representation of the unity and cycle of the Hopi world.

Provenance and Significance

These works come to us from the private collections of long-time Adobe Gallery clients, many with a provenance tracing back to seminal texts such as "Hopi Painting: The World of the Hopis" by Janis Broder.

We invite you to continue to view masterworks like these, which reside in permanent collections from the Heard Museum to the Smithsonian, and experience the enduring pulse of Hopi life.

Reference: Broder, Patricia Janis. HOPI PAINTING: THE WORLD OF THE HOPIS, Brandywine Press, New York, 1979

TAGS: Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Neil David, Sr., Terrance Talaswiama, Milland Lomakema, Tyler Polelonema, Bevins Yuyaheova, Hopi Pueblo, Native American Paintings