Artist Bio:
Tyra Naha is the daughter
of well-known Hopi artist, Rainy Naha. She has certainly learned
a lot from her mother, and carries on the tradition and influence
of her grandmother, Helen Naha - also known as "Feather
Woman."
Tyra is an accomplished potter
in her own right and continues to produce the same quality work
that is the hallmark of the Naha name. Tyra has shown at several
major venues throughout the Southwest. She has been featured
at shows in Santa Fe, NM., the Heard Museum, and others.
Tyra has already appeared
in a few publications dealing primarily with Native American
art, and Hopi pottery in particularly. Of most notable mention
is The Art of the Hopi by Jerry and Lois Essary Jacka
(pp. 42).
Like her mother, Tyra pays
special attention to every detail. Her pieces are delicate and
graceful - full of balance. Some have said that they have a porcelain-like
quality.
Although her pieces are fashioned
entirely in the traditional manner, Tyra's work remains incredibly
fine, and unlike many hand-coiled potteries, Tyra's are amazingly
light.
Perhaps the most noteworthy
aspect of this pottery is the fullness of design. Tyra has meticulously
continued her designs all the way along the underside to the
pedestal of the piece.
She has signed with a combination
of the Naha family feather and the spider which represents her
clan.
