Alternate Views
Click images for larger view
“Pahqua”
(Frog Katsina)
by Earl Patterson, Hopi
Description: Frog katsina carved from cottonwood root with acrylic paint, 13.5 inches tall.
About this Award: Awarded to acknowledge excellence in katsina doll carving.
Jurors’ Comments:
Bruce Bernstein: How much life it has, it really capured the idea of “frog;” it’s squatting down ready to jump. There’s something about its emotion, almost a sadness, not just iin the face, but in the body language as well. It has a certain balance in its makeup that’s quite wonderful and probably goes with the conception of frogs in the Hopi world.
Anthony Lovato: I like the piece because it’s a story character among the Hopi tribe. It relates to the water. The colors are real traditional colors. There’s great detail, even down to the fingers and toes. And I believe it’s all one piece of cottonwood, which helps make it an exceptional piece.
Pam Lujan-Hauer: I like how whimsical it is, and the lack of motion expressed by the piece. He’s frozen!
Earl Patterson
Photo by Stuart Beckerman