Jody Folwell,
born at Santa Clara Pueblo in 1942, is the daughter of Rose Naranjo
and the mother of potters Polly Rose Folwell and Susan Folwell.
Jody was an early innovator in the 1970's, when she began firing
her pottery with brown colorations and utilizing non-traditional
design elements.
One of nine children in the
accomplished Naranjo family, Jody is one of the most renowned
American Indian clay-workers. She is known for the many innovations
she has instigated in the art of the pot. Her mother, Rose, is
also an accomplished potter.
Jody's pottery defies the
classic styles of Santa Clara pueblo, while remaining true to
the materials and firing techniques.
Her pottery can be found in
museums around the country and her work has been featured in
numerous books, including "The Art of Clay" and "Legacy
of Generations". Her work is a cornerstone to any collection
of contemporary Native pottery.
Each of Jody's clayworks is
vastly different from the others; there is no repetition for
the sake of repetition here. Some of the pieces are beautiful
for the finely polished surface and the gracefully incised designs
embellished with colorations from the bonfire.
Others are caustic, with satirical
elements illustrating the statement she wishes to impart. Still
others are contrasts in matte and shine or in colors, or sit
precariously in light of their width. Each piece has a life of
its own. Jody will tell you that's where all of the power exists.
"I do not think of my
work as pottery," she admits. "I think of each piece
as an artwork that has something to say on its own, a statement
about life. I think of myself as being a contemporary potter
and a traditionalist at the same time. Combining the two is very
emotional and exciting to me."