Kerry David
Blue Badger
11 1/2"
total height
Kerry Lyle David is from Walpi
on First Mesa. He is about 40 years old. He has been carving
kachina dolls for about 30 years, yet he has been carving one-piece
kachina dolls only since about 1985.
Kerry uses only hand tools
in making his carvings. He credits his skill to the teachings
of his grandfather, Abbott, his father, Leslie, and his uncle,
Gorman David. And he says he has also been influenced a lot by
his uncle, Neil David, Sr., and from watching other master carvers
such as Cecil Calnimptewa and Lowell Talashoma, Sr.
His inspiration, however,
always comes from watching the Kachinas in the dances.
Kerry and his work are featured
in Theda Bassman's Hopi Kachina Dolls and their Carvers, Helga
Teiwes' Kachina Dolls, The Art of Hopi Carvers, and The Hopi
Approach to the Art of Kachina Doll Carving by Erik Bromberg,
among others.
"There are two types
of Badger Kachinas: the old Hopi Badger Kachina and a more recent
import from the Rio Grande. The old Hopi Badger was a curing
kachina that the Honani clan brought from the ancient village
of Kisiwu. Prayers for the growth of healing herbs are given
to him.
"In recent years another
type of Badger Kachina has made his appearance, but it is not
yet known whether this one serves the same function or not."
- Wright, Barton. Kachinas:
a Hopi Artist's Documentary (115)