Watson Honanie (1953 - 2023)

Watson Honanie, Hopi Pueblo, Bear Clan, active from 1973-, Jewelry and Katsina carvings. Watson Honanie is nephew of Fred Kabotie, Porter Timeche; brother of Phillip Honanie and nine others; husband of Sarah Honanie; father of Kara Honanie, Tia Honanie. Watson's teachers were Phillip Honanie, his brother and Hopi Sivercraft Guild.

Watson Honanie is noted for his intricate designs, especially village scenes and Hopi dancers crafted in gold. As a child, his father passed away, so he was raised partly by his uncles, Fred Kabotie and Porter Timeche. They gave him scraps of silver culled from the Hopi Silvercraft Guild, and showed him how to make earrings. Uncle Fred was manager of the guild when Watson began his apprenticeship. Watson began winning awards for his jewelry. In 1993, his gold concha belt won Best of Class and Best of Division at Indain Market, in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Watson Honanie was born on March 25,1953 and died in November 2023.

Photo courtesy of Gregory Schaaf.

Reference: American Indian Jewelry I 1,200 Artist Biographies by Gregory and Angie Schaaf.

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