Helen Naha - Feather Woman, Hopi-Tewa Potter

Hopi-Tewa artist Helen Naha, also referred to as Feather Woman, was known for her stark black-on-white Hopi pottery early in her career and for exquisite polychrome pots in later times. Her hallmark is a feather.

Helen Naha (1922-1993) Feather Woman and Joy Navasie (Frog Woman) were sisters-in-law. Helen Naha married Joy Navasie's brother, Archie Naha.  Helen Naha was the first to use the Feather Woman name.  She was Spider Clan and the mother of Burel, Rainy, and Sylvia, all three of whom became potters of note.  She not only left a legacy of her own pottery but three family members to carry on the name and craft.

The two families lived on a large ranch just east of Keam's Canyon on the Hopi Reservation. 

Reference: Hopi-Tewa Pottery: 500 Artist Biographies by Gregory Schaaf.

TAGS: Southwest Indian Pottery, Hopi Pueblo, Contemporary Pottery, Joy Navasie, Burel Naha, Rainy Naha, Sylvia Naha