The White Bear depicted here
is a Hon Kachin, but is more properly described as Köcha
Honau.
"The Bear Kachina is
of such great strength that it is felt he can cure the sick.
He appears in the kachina return or Soyal of First Mesa as the
watchman or side dancer for the Chakwaina.
He may come singly or in a
group during the Palölökong Dance, and may appear in
a number of colors such as Sakwa Honau (Blue Bear) or as illustrated
- Köcha Honau (White Bear). Probably he is most familiar
in the Mixed Kachina Dance, dancing outside the lines.
His most distinctive feature
is the presence of a bear footprint on either cheek."
-Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's
Documentary (114)
Arthur Holmes Jr. is the son
of well-known Hopi carver, Arthur Holmes Sr. Both have received
recognition for their superb work in kachina carving. Highly
sought after by collectors, both Arthur Jr. and his father keep
busy producing some of the finest carvings available.
Their work can only be found
in the most discriminating collections, galleries, and museums
around the world. Arthur has truly caught his father's vision
for realistic contemporary kachina carving.
As a Hopi Kachina Carver,
Artist Arthur Holmes, Jr. has often found that the pieces he
carves, will become what they want to become. Every aspect of
this piece is detailed to the extreme. We took special notice
of the hands and fingernails.
Arthur Holmes, Jr. is considered
to be one of the best, if not the best, high-end Katsina carver
of our time. His work is a collector's dream because of the exquisite
detail he is known for. Arthur Jr. is a very quiet person who
enjoys carving in seclusion. He keeps his surroundings surreal,
breath taking, and relaxing, creating most of his carvings in
the out-doors. This allows him to feel at one with nature, and
allows him to relax as he creates each masterpiece.
Arthur was taught by his father,
who is very proud of his son, and is pleased with the level of
talent that he has developed. He feels that his son has surpassed
his own work and is very proud of this.
The work of Arthur Holmes
Jr., speaks for itself. Although Arthur Jr. has not entered himself
into many juried competitions, which some say he would easily
win, his work is known throughout the carving and collecting
community, as "elite".
If you're looking to add an
excellent example by one of the living-masters - here's your
chance.
