Vern Mahkee
Wildcat
12" H
with 1/4" base
"Tokotsi or Tokoch Kachina
is the Wildcat Kachina. He is one of the Angry Kachinas and appears
with others of this type when there is work to be done in the
community such as the cleaning of the springs.
"He never appears in
regular dances unless it is the Soyohim or Mixed Kachina Dance.
As a kachina who is expected to keep the idlers at work, he usually
carries a rope in his left hand and a switch in his right."
- Barton Wright, "Kachinas:
a Hopi artist's documentary" (31)
Vern Mahkee was born November
13, 1963 and resides in Oraibi, at Third Mesa. He is a member
of the Corn Clan.
Vern is a self-taught artist.
He learned the art of carving by watching his numerous artistic
relatives, like his uncle, the famed Kachina carver Alvin James
Makya, and taught himself their methods as well as developing
his own.
Vern Mahkee first carved Kachinas
as a means of carrying on a religious rite. He began carving
the dolls for sale and entering shows in 1979. Since that time
he has developed a reputation for ultra-fine detail, as well
as beautiful balance in his Kachinas.
He has won awards in such
prestigious shows as the Santa Fe Indian Market. Vern¹s
Hopi name is Kuwanwisiwima.