Hopi Pueblo Yellow Sowi-ing, Deer Kachina Doll Carving by Kevin Pochoema [SOLD]

Award winning Katsina carver Kevin Pochoema from Hopi Pueblo, Arizona often carves from one piece of cottonwood root.  Because of his expert skill level, his sculptures are highly collectible.

This fantastic Deer (or “Sowi-ing”) carving illustrates why Hopi Pueblo artist Kevin Pochoema is regarded as one of the best contemporary Kachina carvers.  Pochoema’s work here is precise, eye-catching and, perhaps most importantly, ethnographically accurate. His Deer Kachina is depicted in the familiar position: knees bent, in motion, leaning forward onto two canes.  His head is turned to the left, just slightly ahead of his body, which will soon follow suit as he completes his turn. When the Deer is viewed directly—with the viewer staring directly at his mask—he has a particularly powerful effect, thanks in part to the artist’s inventive positioning.  His mask looks dramatic, intense; the artist conveys a strong connection to this particular dancer through his work here.

Pochoema’s color choices are exceptional.  The carving is stained with a rich, beautiful brown, which appears slightly darker at the base than it does at the dancer’s bare chest. Bright acrylic paints provide color; they’re strong and effective throughout the piece.   Bright white lines criss cross down his chest and across the Deer Kachina’s shoulders. His dance regalia and jewelry are depicted in Pochoema’s typically detailed fashion, as are his rain sash and evergreen ruff. He stands upon a small base, into which intricate cliff dwellings are carved.  The artist’s signature—simply “Pochoema”—wraps around the Deer Kachina’s left foot. Pochoema has again shared with us an amazing carving; it is both beautiful and impressive as a technical accomplishment.

Barton Wright’s Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary provides a useful description of the Deer Kachina’s appearance and purpose: “One of the very popular Plaza Kachina Dances is that of the Deer Kachina.  He has power over the rain, and of course, when he dances, he is a prayer for the increase of deer. Usually when a group of these dancers appear they are accompanied by a Wolf or Mountain Lion Kachina as a side dancer.  Presumably the first Deer Kachinas were brought from Awatovi, which may be correct as they retain a strong Rio Grande appearance. The position that this kachina usually assumes when he dances is that of bending forward at the waist and resting the front part of the body upon the short stick that is carried in his hands.”

Kevin Pochoema (1965- ) is a Hopi katsina carver.  Pochoema was born in Flagstaff, Arizona on February 2, 1965.  At one point, he lived in the Hopi village of Bacavi on Third Mesa. Pochoema now resides just outside Santa Fe, New Mexico.  He is a member of the Greasewood clan. His works have been featured prominently in numerous books about Hopi carvings and are included in many prominent public and private collections.  He has received prestigious awards and accolades for his works.

Condition: this Hopi Pueblo Yellow Sowi-ing, Deer Kachina Doll Carving by Kevin Pochoema is newnew

Provenance: directly from the artist

Recommended Reading: Kachinas: A Hopi Artist’s Documentary by Barton Wright

Relative Links: Kachina - Katsina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Kevin Pochoema