Steve Lucas
Governor's
Vase
9 1/2"
H x 13" D
Special Note:
This pottery is being offered
at a fraction of the regular gallery price due to a minor imperfection
caused by smoke during the firing process. If you look closely,
the back panel has a light grey fire cloud.
Because of the exceptional
size and beauty of this magnificent vessel, we are offering to
help Steve find a home for this piece. It really is exquisite
and represents an unprecedented value for the collector who appreciates
the cultural appeal created by these naturally occuring characteristics.
Steve Lucas is the great -grandson
of Nampeyo, grandson of Rachel Namingha Nampeyo and brother of
Karen Lucas. He is recognized as one of the premier Hopi potters
of today for his outstanding and innovative art work.
He consistently wins blue
ribbons and this year he won best of pottery at the Santa Fe
Indian Market. His works are created in the traditional ways
of Hopi potters and of his great-great grandmother Nampeyo.
Steve uses all natural clays
to hand coil his pottery, natural pigments to create designs
and outdoor firing to give his art the wonderful blush that adds
much so beauty.
Another characteristic of
Steve's fine work is the high polished glow which most pieces
exhibit. This is achieved through many hours of diligent polishing
using a small, smooth stone.
Most of his designs are based
on old Sikyatki shards that he studies for inspiration. Steve's
work is precise, finely detailed, nearly perfect in symmetry.
The red mica bottom is particularly
fine, as are the other red mica slip areas. Like his forebears,
Steve works to perfect the art of traditional polychrome pottery
making. He mentioned that the red bottom potteries must be fired
upside down, taking special care not to damage or burn the rim.
"People often ask me
how I get the shapes and designs for my pots. Actually, my ideas
come from the clay as much as from myself. I find that the more
I listen to the clay, the better my pot. So, its both of us.
Steve has signed with his
hallmark mudhead, or koyemsi, along with an ear of corn
for his great-grandmother, Nampeyo.
