Cross Legged (Huhuwa) Katsina Doll [SOLD]

Lowell Talashoma, Sr.'s life story seems to possess some of those rare qualities that distinguish those of legendary proportions from the ordinary. At less than two years of age he was moved from his family home on the Hopi mesas in Northern Arizona. Due to hard times, Lowell's parents gave their permission for this son to go to Utah and live with an elderly Mormon couple. Reared by this couple as an “only” son, Lowell discovered mainstream America and a Christian household.

A natural artist, Lowell produced drawings and sculptures with perspective, proportion and grace at an age when other children marked out crude symbols. While still in grade school he whittled a freely-turning sphere within a cage from a single block of wood. He would, while still a child, illustrate a story as it was being read aloud.

Stimulated by visits back to his Hopi family, Lowell began to long for the culture he was missing. With ideas and visions he took back to his adoptive home, Lowell through his own artistic ability began to discover the need for his native heritage. One day while visiting on the mesa, the time came for Lowell to return to Utah. He surprised everyone, including himself, by refusing to leave his Hopi homeland. He stayed to become himself, a Hopi. Lowell had two brothers who were also artists—Wilburt Talashoma, Jr. and Todd Talashoma.  Their dad, Wilburt Talashoma, Sr. was an artist.  All the males carved katsina dolls.

Carving the Hopi Huhuwa (Cross Legged) Katsina must have been a favorite of the Talashoma men as all of them did so.  Interestingly, each had his own technique and style.  This one by Lowell is a single-piece carving from cottonwood root.  The items in the katsina’s hands are the only possible add-ons to an otherwise one-piece carving.   This carving is exceptional in every detail.

Condition: original condition

Provenance: from the estate of Tom Mittler, a former resident of Michigan and Santa Fe

Recommended Reading: Clowns of the Hopi: Tradition Keepers and Delight Makers by Barton Wright