Two Santa Clara Koosa Clowns Eating Watermelon [SOLD]

During a ceremonial plaza dance, the Koosa are not clowns and are not intended to amuse.  They represent the spirits of the ancestors or Ancients of the people, those who have direct influence with the gods. During such dances, the Koosa dance with the performers. There is nothing but the utmost seriousness by the Koosa during the dance and the clowns generally torment the Katsina dancers but are not to be seen as they are supposedly invisible. They are known to eat in excess and are always gluttons so it is quite common to see them rendered either eating or hoarding food.

Clowning, such as chasing the children and making advances to the women, is indulged outside the dance. The Koosa’s body is bare, painted in grey stripes with hair tied in tuffs of dried corn husks and matted in grayish clay.  He wears a black loincloth and tan moccasins, and nothing else. The painting is signed in lower right Pablita Velarde and dated 1990.  It is properly double matted and framed in a wood frame with silver tones.

This painting was an award winner.  It won First Place – Blue Ribbon at 1990 New Mexico State Fair.  This ribbon is included with the painting.

Condition: appears to be in original condition but has not been examined out of the frame

Reference and Recommended Reading:

Indians of the Rio Grande Valley by Adolph F. Bandelier and Edgar L. Hewett, 1937.  This book is not available from Adobe Gallery.

"Woman’s Work" The Art of Pablita Velarde by Sally Hyer. This book is not available from Adobe Gallery.

Pablita Velarde - Painting Her People by Marcella Ruch, et al.  We actually have a copy available for sale - click here for all the details.

Provenance: from the personal collection of a gentleman in Albuquerque