Michael Kanteena
Acoma
Owak'tsinam
Coal Kachina
9 3/4"
total height
Michael Kanteena's present
work began to develop around 1990. Wishing to learn about his
ancient roots, which he knew went back ot New Mexico's Chaco
Canyon (Anasazi Culture), he began collecting archeaological
catalogues of pottery forms.
Through extensive study, trial
and error, and even consultation with archaeologists, he developed
his pottery into remarkably close recreations of the Chacaon
and Mesa Verde pottery.
More recently, his studies
and work have expanded to Mimbres culture, and ancient Mexican
Indian clay forms where human and animal effigies are common.
And most recently, he has begun to create Hopi figures and designs.
In some cases, Michael's pottery
actually is a fairly accurate reproduction of older pieces, e.g.,
Hopi kachinas, but in many instances his work is just "inspired"
by ancient pottery.
His pot will not actually
reproduce an older piece, but it will certainly have the "flavor"
of Anasazi or Mimbres pottery. His pottery is fired two times.
First, he kiln fires for strength and then he will refire outdoors
to give his pots their "ancient" look.
Michael is a 1981 graduate
of Eastern NM University with a degree in Fine Art.
