Ron Honyumptewa
Grand Eagle
Dancer
19 1/2"
H w 16" wingspan
Ronald Honyumptewa is one
of the most talented young carvers of today. His work expresses
detail and realism far beyond that of many of his counterparts.
He is truly emerging as one of the great ones - as well he should,
for he has had some great teachers and mentors. Some of these
include the late Tom Holmes, Leonard Selestewa, and Jon Cordero.
Ronald is from the village
of Moenkopi, near Tuba City, Arizona. He is of the Sun clan,
and has been an active kachina carver for 15 years. At only 33
years of age, he has already taken Best of Division at the Heard
Museum show, and other ribbons at the Gallup Inter-tribal Ceremonial,
and elsewhere.
This eagle is a spectacular
first attempt for Ronald, but as with so many of his creations,
we are not surprised. The proportion and detail of this piece
are unsurpassed. Its sheer size gives it an imposing and impressive
quality not found in most kachina carvings.
Additionally, it has been
carved from nearly one solid piece - with only the two arms and
other small details having been added. Incidentally, the arms
and wings were each carved out of one solid piece - versus attaching
the feathers to the arms as so many eagle carvers tend to do.
The curvature of the feathers
and wings are incredible. The arms reach out as if to take flight.
Even the hands have been meticulously detailed to include creases
in the palms and fingernails. Every feather has been painstakingly
carved out - one by one.
Perhaps the most impressive
aspect of this piece is the balanced posture that the Eagle takes,
as he appears to be leaping forth from the pedestal. Ronald's
ability to execute this piece in such a well-balanced way, without
adding to or subtracting from the figure, characterizes him as
one of the best carvers of today.
This dance is not as common
as it might have been at one time, and according to Barton Wright's
Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary, you might have
the satisfaction of occassionally seeing a performance "in
one of the night ceremonies in March or during the Powamu."
"Usually the personator
imitates the step or motion and cry of the eagle to absolute
perfection. There is evidence that this kachina was imported
into Zuni from the Hopi and is danced there in much the same
manner that it is at Hopi.
This may be why the Eagle
may appear during Pamuya on First Mesa with Zuni Kachinas."
(87)
