Untitled Painting of Hopi Pueblo Long Hair Katsina by Otis Polelonema [SOLD]

This outstanding depiction of Hopi Long Hair Katsina was created by early Hopi Pueblo artist Otis Polelonema. The Long Hair Katsina is a singer of sweet songs who brings rain and flowers. His beard and loose tassels of feathers symbolize rain and clouds. They appear as dancers in a group at Niman, and at plaza dances with manas. Their purpose is to bring rain, and it is said that they seldom dance without the appearance of a soft gentle rain.  The Long Hair is danced from the Rio Grande to the Hopi Mesas in almost the same form. They appear in groups and sing a very melodious song.

Polelonema’s work here is of his typically high quality.  This Long Hair Katsina is presented using rich color, incredibly detailed linework, and remarkable ethnographic accuracy.  Polelonema’s subject faces the viewer directly, providing an unobstructed view of his mask, clothing, and dance paraphernalia.  This perspective, which many would argue is more challenging than the profile view favored by many early Pueblo painters, is handled adeptly here.  Long Hair’s beard, intricately decorated sash, and moccasins are highlights, as is one subtle feature that is often overlooked in similarly themed works: the painted skin of the man embodying the Katsina.  Often, we see either the skin tone or a solid color representing the body paint. In this image, the artist blended both, adding texture and depth to an area that many artists overlook. Polelonema’s name is frequently mentioned in lists of the earliest pueblo painters; this extraordinary piece suggests that he should also be regarded as one of the best pueblo painters.

Otis Polelonema (1902-1981) was a Hopi Pueblo painter who was also known as Loadamosiva (or “Springtime”). He was born on February 2, 1902 at Shugopovi, Hopi Second Mesa. He began painting around 1917, and stated that his experiences at Santa Fe Indian School and his contact with Mrs. Willis DeHuff encouraged him the most in the art field.  Several boys, while still in school, received encouragement after class from Superintendent and Mrs. De Huff in their home at the Indian School. Among them were Ma Pe Wi, Fred Kabotie, Otis Polelonema, and Awa Tsireh. Dr. Edward Lee Hewett said of them "these young Indians were simply protected from learning art by our methods and enabled to go on in their own way in which no one can teach them."

After leaving the Santa Fe Indian School, Polelonema attended Santa Fe Public High School for one year, then returned to his home village of Shungopavi at Hopi Pueblo, where he spent the remainder of his life.  He became involved in traditional Hopi activities. He never painted as often as he had in the 1930s, although he did paint occasionally until the mid-1970s. Polelonema won the Ann Evans Memorial Award in 1954 at the Denver Art Museum, followed by the Southwest Association on Indian Affairs Award and the Denman Prize in New Mexico exhibitions.  His works were included in most major exhibits of Indian paintings, both national and international, in the early 1900s. He passed away in 1981 during the annual Solstice ceremony celebration.

Condition: very good condition with a small paper abrasion near top mat

Provenance: this Untitled Painting of Hopi Pueblo Long Hair Katsina by Otis Polelonema is from a private New Mexico collection, Pierson Gallery

References/Recommended Reading: American Indian Painting of the Southwest and Plains Areas, Dorothy Dunn

Relative Links: Velino Shije Herrera (Ma Pe Wi), Otis Polelonema, Awa Tsireh, Fred Kabotie, Katsinas - Kachina Dolls, Hopi Pueblo, Native American Paintings, Dorothy Dunn