Delwyn Harvey
Hochani
12" H
with 1" base
Formerly Hochani was a much
more popular kachina than he is at present. He was probably introduced
to the Hopis from the Rio Grande Pueblos.
In fact his name is the Keresan
term for Chief or Headman. Legend has it that he was a Hopi who
went to live in the Rio Grande during adverse times and returned
bringing presents to the Hopi.
He may appear in Kiva Dances
in the winter but most frequently is seen in the Mixed Kachina
Dances in the spring.
Delwyn Harvey, "Wea"
(One of a kind), was born on the Hopi reservation in 1965. He
is a member of the Kachina Crow Clan. Delwyn has been carving
Hopi kachinas since 1978. He is a self taught artist.
Delwyn is also related to
Nuvadi Dawahoya (brother-in-law), who is a master carver in his
own right.
Like other contemporary kachina
carvers, Delwyn hand carves cottonwood root into magnificent
full bodied kachina dolls with a simple tool like a pocket knife.
His carvings are carved with extreme precision and detail.
He applies acrylic paints
to his dolls and paints them very carefully because it is essential
for the Hopi people to represent the kachina as accurately as
possible. Many of his dolls are carved from one continuous piece
of cottonwood. Some of his dolls are sought by collectors all
over the world. Delwyn signs his dolls "D. Harvey."
