Larry Melendez – Exceptional Katsina Scene – “Bird Food”

This is one of the most creative Hopi katsina scenes I’ve seen in 30 years. Larry Melendez has created two Owl katsinam, a Mongwu (or Great Horned Owl) and a Hotsokhoya (Screech Owl?). They’re carrying a long spear with what he calls “bird food” attached, including a snake, a bear, a rabbit, and goose. These two Owls are good hunters indeed. The piece is 16 1/2″  long by 11 1/2″ tall and 4″ wide. Each of the owls has a quiver with bow and fletched arrows on his back. Signed on the base LEM with his Butterfly Clan symbol and the words, “Bird Food.” This piece disassembles for shipping. Therefore, modest “assembly required.”