Brian Honyouti
Nataska
11 1/4"
total height
"The fearsome Nataska
always come as a pair. They accompany the Soyoko on their collection
trip and usually stand directly behind the member of the crew
who is bargaining with the relatives of the children.
"They make horrible noises,
dragging their saws [and knives, or whatever it may be] along
the side of the house or on the ground. All the while, they keep
up a steady stamping that makes the turtle-shell rattles on their
legs sound ominously.
"They are supposed to
be able to eat a child whole; from the very earliest age, the
child has heard stories of these monsters - how they would descend
on children playing near the village and haul them away to cook
and eat. So it is no wonder that the children are petrified at
their actual appearance!
"Usually only dark colored
clothes are put on this kachina pair, who should have horns.
The feather fan is made of turkey feathers which are placed close
together to form a large mass behind the head that makes the
figures appear much taller and broader."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (78)
This kachina was carved by
Brian Honyouti, one of three famous Hopi brothers, who often
carve together. The Honyoutis, Loren, Brian and Ronald, are originally
from Bacavi, Arizona on the Hopi reservation. The Honyoutis are
featured in many books on Hopi carving including, "Kachina
Dolls" by Helga Tiewes and "The Art of the Hopi"
by Jerry and Lois Jacka.
In Helga's book, Brian is
written about extensively. The Honyoutis are considered forerunners
in the art of realistic carvings and are in a class of their
own.
Brian was born in 1947 in
the village of Hotevilla, Arizona on the Hopi reservation. He
started carving Kachinas in the mid 1960's, and learned his carving
techniques from his father, who taught him how to make one-piece
carvings. He began using oil paints in 1978, and he is universally
credited with being the first carver to use wood preservatives
and varnish as a sealer, instead of the usual white undercoat.
Brian was also the first carver
to substitute wood preservatives instead of paint, leaving the
flesh areas unpainted and using the natural wood colors. He rarely
uses Dremel tools and wood burners, preferring to do all of his
carving with pocket knives, chisels, hack-saw blades and small
files.