Rick James
Hi'lili
16 3/4"
H with 2 3/4" base
The Hilili "is apparently
a kachina that has made its way from Acoma or Laguna by a process
of osmosis. In these pueblos he is known as Heleleka. By the
time he reached the Hopis prior to the turn of the century, his
name had changed to Hilili, 'from the call that he makes.'
"His first appearance
was among the Hopis of First Mesa and the other two mesas made
known their disapproval by calling this a witch or Powak Kachina.
However, his popularity as a guard kachina and admiration for
his rapid dance has increased.
"Now he is found on all
the mesas in a great variety of forms. He appears very frequently
in the Powamu and in the Night Dances."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (43)
What really sets this kachina
doll apart is the amount of detail that Rick has shown in the
carving. Everywhere you look, there are fine details...like the
distinct markings on the face, the way the strands of hair and
the feathers have been carved individually, the different textures
on the sash and kilt and the detail of the fox and bobcat skins.
Rick's emphasis is on the
surface treatment of the wood, creating a multitude of various
textures that give a very realistic appearance.
Rick James is originally from
Bacavi, Arizona on Third Mesa. He is in his early 40's and now
lives in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Rick first started carving
in 1974 at the age of 12.
Rick is listed in Eric Bromberg's
book "The Hopi Approach to Kachina Doll Carving," as
well as Theda Bassman's "Hopi Kachina Dolls and Their Carvers."
Rick is a very talented carver, and he should be, because he
was taught by one of the best...his father, Alvin James Makya,
generally accepted as the originator of all-wood action carvings.
