Keith Torres
Wolf Kachina
8 1/2"
H incl. 1" base
This figure was created by
the talented and well-known artist, Keith Torres. His attention
to detail, and the life-like realism of his work is what sets
his pieces apart. Another notable aspect of his work is the natural
characteristics of the wood which are allowed to show through
the paint work.
The anatomy and proportion
of Keith's work is always impressive. The hands have been carefuly
detailed, and the arms, legs and shoulders are all done appropriately.
Keith A. Torres is from First
Mesa. He is of the Coyote and Fire Clans. He learned to carve
from his uncle, Edward Poleahla, and has since won awards for
his carving such as First Place in 1996 at the Gallup Ceremonial.
He is listed in Erik Bromberg's
The Hopi Approach to the Art of KACHINA DOLL CARVING. Keith is
an exceptional carver who has a wonderful eye for detail along
with the skill and ability to create truly important works of
art through his carving.
"Whenever the Deer or
Antelope Kachinas dance in the plaza, another kachina is very
frequently seen with them - the Wolf Kachina (Kweo). He is their
side dancer, and the stick he holds in his hands is said to represent
trees and bushes that he hides behind as he watches them.
"When he appears, the
Deer and the Antelope are wary because in real life he is the
hunter of antelope. After the dance it is customary for the Hopis
to offer the Wolf Kachina cornmeal or prayer feathers so that
he will use his knowledge to find and capture these game animals.
"For some reason the
kachina calls forth the Hopi urge to elaborate. He is not usually
[very] colorful nor realistic and is consequently more forceful
in appearance."
- Barton Wright, "Kachinas:
a Hopi artist's documentary" (164)
