Arthur Holmes
Jr.
White Bear
14 1/2"
H with 1/2" base
The White Bear depicted here
is a Hon Kachin, but is more properly described as Köcha
Honau.
"The Bear Kachina is
of such great strength that it is felt he can cure the sick.
He appears in the kachina return or Soyal of First Mesa as the
watchman or side dancer for the Chakwaina.
He may come singly or in a
group during the Palölökong Dance, and may appear in
a number of colors such as Sakwa Honau (Blue Bear) or as illustrated
- Köcha Honau (White Bear). Probably he is most familiar
in the Mixed Kachina Dance, dancing outside the lines.
His most distinctive feature
is the presence of a bear footprint on either cheek."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (114)
Arthur Holmes Jr. is not only
a great carver, but he is an expert painter. This is something
that many people tend to overlook. The true artistic ability
of a carver is demonstrated by his skill in bringing both the
carving and the painting together.
Notice the depth created by
the shading Arthur has carefully painted in all the right areas.
It gives depth and definition to details in the hands, the sash,
the kilt and elsewhere.
Arthur Holmes Jr. is the son
of well-known Hopi carver, Arthur Holmes Sr. Both have received
recognition for their superb work in kachina carving. Highly
sought after by collectors, both Arthur Jr. and his father keep
busy producing some of the finest carvings available.
Their work can only be found
in the most discriminating collections, galleries, and museums
around the world. Arthur has truly caught his father's vision
for realistic contemporary kachina carving.
As a Hopi Kachina carver,
Arthur Holmes, Jr. has often found that the pieces he carves,
will become what they want to become. Every aspect of this piece
is detailed to the extreme. We took special notice of the hands
and fingernails. It is easy to see why Arthur Jr. is considered
by some to be the very best.
Arthur prefers to carve alone.
Many of his works are created outdoors, where he is able to relax
and find inspiration for his next piece. This approach seems
fitting since so much of the Kachina tradition involves a reverence
for the natural and animal world. This same regard for nature
and the spiritual realm is reflected in Arthur's highly detailed
and extremely realistic carvings.
Arthur has arguably surpassed
his father's ability as a carver, but being the humble person
that he is, he always denies this. As his teacher, his father
must surely be proud of the skill and artistry his son has developed.
If you're looking to add an
excellent example by one of the living-masters - here's your
chance.
