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Hemis Katsina
by Manfred Susunkewa, Hopi
Description: Traditional Hopi katsina doll carved from cottonwood and painted with natural pigments.
About this Award: Awarded to the katsina doll carving that best represents traditional form and materials. The award honors Gordon Carle.
Jurors’ Comments:
Terry DeWald: The Hemis Katsina was definitely the most traditional also the highest quality one. But going with what Rachel said with her Hopi history that’s the home dance and that’s by far the most traditional one that they put more of their heart into.
Rachel Sahmie: This is a traditional carving—the shape and the simple form with the legs and the arms and the material. There were never a lot of feathers on here but the simplicity—this is tradition, just the basic form.
Polly Folwell: The understanding use of a piece of wood, one solid piece for one whole doll; traditional because it has to come out from the headboard this way. I think it took a lot of extra work to get to that point. The broad board over the forehead and the idea of looking for the word “traditional” it represents it all with the understanding that this is the traditional doll given.
Manfred Susunkewa
Photo by Lana Tupponce