Kerry David
Bighorn Ram
12" 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.
This Big Horn, or Ram kachina
(Pang), is a great example of Kevin's ability as a detailer.
The horns, feathers, and evergreens have all been carefully carved,
as well as the hands, and fingers. His posture and anatomy add
an increased level of realism to the piece.
The Ram Kachina is said to
be used to secure an increase of flocks - however little is known
about the details of the origin or meaning of this particular
figure.
It is known that it belongs
to the "animal" family of kachina figures, and as a
"two horn" figure, it is of this world - and not other-worldly
as are some of it's "single horn" counterparts, so
it is said.