Dominique
Toya
Jemez
Cultural Crossroads
10 1/2"
H x 8" D
Having won Best of Class at
the Heard Indian Museum Fair and Market last year and now the
Best of Class at Santa Fe's Annual Indian Market this year, Dominique
is quickly rising to the top of her division.
You might have seen her award-winning
micaceous melon swirl pots, but we've never seen anything like
this before.
We're delighted to present
a one-of-a-kind original by this groundbreaking artist, and we
hope you will follow her work with us as she continues to impress!
Dominique's Best
of Class Pottery at Santa Fe Indian Market 2009
Dominique (Damian) Toya was
born into the Pueblo of the Jemez in 1971. Dominique was born
to Maxine Toya, who is currently one of the finest Jemez potters
of our time. Maxine was the inspiration behind her interest in
learning the art of working with clay.
Dominique is also related
to: Laura Gachupin (Aunt), Marie G. Romero (Grandmother), the
late Persingula M. Gachupin (Great Grandmother), and sister Camille
Toya. Dominique is a member of the Corn Clan and has been making
pottery since the age of 5.
Dominique specializes in handmade
micaceous pottery. She gathers her materials (natural pigments)
for her masterpieces from the grounds within the Jemez Pueblo.
She cleans, mixes, hand coils, shapes, sands, fires outdoors,
and polishes her own pottery.
She was quoted as saying “All
the pots that I create are my favorite, because each one is a
part of me.” She signs as: Dominique Toya, Jemez, followed
by the corn sign to denote her clan origin.
Publications:
-Southern Pueblo Pottery 2,000
Artist Biographies
-Storytellers and Other Figurative Pottery
-Southwestern Pottery 1999 Edition
Awards:
-New Mexico State Fair
-Santa Fe Indian Market
-Various out of State shows
-Eighth Northern Art Show
