Pueblo Women Making Pottery [SOLD]

Following the curriculum established by Dorothy Dunn, Gerónima Cruz Montoya (1915 - 2015) P'otsúnú - White Shell continued the arts program at Santa Fe Indian School for another twenty-five years, teaching some of the most important Indian artists of their generation. Afterwards she would return to San Juan (now Ohkay Owingeh) Pueblo to develop and teach adult education courses and help emerging artists. But for all her accolades as an instructor, it is for her talents as an artist that she is best known.

At her mentor's suggestion, Montoya painted scenes from daily pueblo life. In "Women Making Pottery" Montoya looks to the consistency of familial dynamics in pueblo pottery: mothers and daughters. At San Juan, like many other pueblos, mothers teach their daughters how to pot. This painting depicts mother and daughter in the intricate practice of stone polishing. The vessels are identifiably San Juan with the diagnostic slip bifurcating (divide into two branches) the jar above and below its girth. This painting creates an intimate portrait of both family and culture.  The small black dots are polishing stones.

The painting is signed and dated 1995.  It is one of a series that Montoya painted of women performing daily chores.  It is framed in a custom frame from Tres Mowka Framers of Santa Fe, recognized as one of the finest framers.

Condition: this painting Pueblo Women Making Pottery is in original condition

Provenance: from a Santa Fe family who is moving to their home in Colorado and had to sacrifice this and many other paintings.

Recommended Reading: Through Their Eyes: Indian Painting in Santa Fe 1918-1945

Photo source: Picture of Gerónima Cruz Montoya from the website of University of Arizona/Arizona State Museum.