Clark Tenakhongva
Masau'u
18 1/2"
total height
The early traditional style
Kachinas have bodies that are carved to approximate human proportions.
For example, the arms are usually at right angles and are pressed
against the body. A static kilt and sash resemble the lower part
of the body and the legs are usually short. The head however,
is carved and painted correctly to identify each specific Kachina.
These dolls exhibits a pronounced spirituality because of their
strong stylization and abstractness. For Clark, his Kachina carving
is less of an art form and more of a religious act.
Clark's natural paints are
very unique. They are thick and textured. He does not use a sealant,
but uses a substance called 'tuuma' which makes the pigment very
difficult to rub off. He gets his pigments from all over the
southwest and he uses natural pigments of plant dyes and minerals.
Clark first started carving
Kachinas when he was 13 years old. He carved the 'old-style'
or what he refers to as the traditional style dolls that he used
to decorate his house. When a trader from Second Mesa first saw
these dolls hanging on the walls of Clark's home, he suggested
that Clark should start selling these dolls. So, in 1994, Clark
started carving the traditional dolls full time and the first
show he entered was at the Santa Fe Indian Market.
Clark is one of 19 featured
artists in the book "Traditional Hopi Kachinas" by
Jonathan S. Day. Clark is also in "The Art of The Hopi"
by Lois & Jerry Jacka on several pages.
"Masau'u (Skeleton Kachina)
is the only kachina who does not go home at the Niman Ceremony
and thus may dance at any time of the year. The organization
of the dance is very much like that of the Niman with the Masau'u
dancing in one line and the Masau'u Mana in the other.
"In addition the Skeleton
Kachina may appear during the Pachavu as a pair, with the Wawash
Kachina as a racer, or after a regular kachina dance in the plaza.
As he is a Death Kachina he does many things by opposites, for
the world of the Dead is the reverse of this world.
