Great Tradition Hopi Katsina: 1880 to Present - Paperback

by Barry Walsh (Author), Anna Kim Walsh (Photographer)

Hopi Katsina carvings have long fascinated people with their spiritual meaning, colorful artistry, and connection to Hopi Indian culture. This book presents the evolution of katsinam from 1880 to now by examining the life stories and works of the carvers.

We begin with anonymous work from the 1880s. By the 1920s and 30s, certain artists, such as Wilson Tawaquaptewa and Otto Pentewa, had developed such distinctive styles that their work became easily identifiable. In the 1940s, Jimmie Kewanwytewa began signing his work, which set a precedent most others have since followed. The katsina carving tradition is very much alive, and we look at some of the finest artists creating today. Some work in a very time-honored traditional style; others are innovators, moving in strikingly new directions. All of these katsina artists shared their autobiographies with Barry Walsh and had full control over what was published.

Author Biography

Barry Walsh owns Buffalo Barry s Indian Art with his wife, Valerie Wedge. They specialize in Hopi material, especially antique and traditional-style katsina carvings. Barry has written extensively on Hopi katsina carvers from the past and present. In his other life, Barry is a PhD therapist who has specialized in treating people with self-injury and/or suicidality. He has presented internationally and written three books on these subjects. Anna Walsh was born in Korea and raised in Massachusetts. She has been taking photographs most of her life. She studied photography and video at the Art Institute of Boston, New England School of Photography, and Massachusetts College of Art and Design. In addition to Native American art, Anna specializes in commercial, editorial, portraiture, and documentary photography.