Tawaquaptewa Kooyemsi

This is a very rare carving by Tawaquaptewa because it is so close to being an actual katsina. As I’ve written many times, he deliberately distorted all his work because of his conviction that accurate representations of Katsinam should not be sold. He held this belief because of his role as Kikmongwi or Village Chief in Orayvi and overseer of Hopi religious ceremony. As a result, his carvings are unique in the history of Hopi katsinam. 

This Mudhead or Kooyemsi comes very close to being accurate. It closely resembles a Toson Koyemsi (as shown on page 88 of Barton Wright’s “Clowns of the Hopi” book). Tawaquaptewa’s distortion lies in the marks on the face not having hooks. Rather, they are straight. Obviously this is a very modest modification. The carving is 10 3/4″ tall with the professional base adding 1 1/8.” 

My most recent publication on Tawaquaptewa is: Barry Walsh (February/ March 2018). “Turning the Power, the Life and Katsinam of Wilson Tawaquaptewa.” Native American Art magazine.