Brian Honyouti
Ma'alo
10 3/4"
H with 1 1/2" base
"Around the turn of the
century this was one of the most popular kachinas. He was danced
as a Niman Kachina along with Hemis, Angak'china and Kuwan Heheya
on First Mesa and he appeared in regular kachina dances on the
other two mesas.
"In time his popularity
seems to have faded, and he does not dance as often nowadays.
He usually appears with Takursh Mana as his sister, dancing in
a seperate line alongside him. He is sometimes referred to as
Stick Kachina because of the staff he carries in his left hand."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (176)
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.
He has signed the doll on
the back of the base: "BH"
