Duane Maktima Storytellers Robʼs Recom

®
Volume 4- Issue 2
Robʼs Recommendation:
WTTW Channel 11 will air
“Mystery of the Ancient Ones” on
the New Explorers with Bill Kurtis, on Wednesday, November 13 at
8 p.m. Featuring the husband and
wife/anthropology team, Drs. Jonathan Haas of the Field Museum and
Winfred Creamer of Northern Illinois
University, the adventure travels to
northeastern Arizona to examine ruins
of the Anasazi. The “new explorers”
will offer a controversial new theory
about why the Anasazi abandoned the
Four Corners region in the space of a
generation after having populated the
area for over two thousand years.
Holiday Hours
Tribal Expressions will extend its
normal business hours for your holiday shopping convenience Thanksgiving through Christmas. We will be
open:
Tue &Wed -10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Mon, Thu,& Fri - 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday noon to 5 p.m.
Additional hours by appointment
American Express
Tribal Expressions is delighted to
announce that we have joined the network of establishments that welcome
the American Express Card. It is our
hope that the addition of this service
will enhance our ability to serve cli-
Alive with the Art & Spirit of Native America
7 South Dunton Avenue, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 (847) 590-5390
Fall 1996
Duane Maktima
Duane Maktima is a contemporary jewelry designer
of Laguna and Hopi descent. Duane will be in the gallery
December 13-15 for our last show of 1996. According to
Duaneʼs grandfather, the name Maktima means “searching for eagles.” Duaneʼs creations truly live up to his
family name, reflecting his search for creative expression, grace and form.
Maktima designs reflect Duaneʼs personal beliefs
about the forward movement of Native Americans from
the past into the future. Although traditional values and
myths of Southwestern Pueblo Peoples have influenced Duaneʼs style, other nuances are evident. Duane says, “Strong influences in my work include Southwest
Deco design, and because I am part of a broader picture, Scandinavian design.”
Maktimaʼs innovative jewelry designs exemplify the on-going tension over
what is considered traditional. He is constantly winning awards. Using color and
form to reiterate prehistoric Native American symbols, Duane employs lapis,
opal, coral, fossilized ivory, lavulite, green and blue turquoise, shells, and wood to
create geometric patterns of vibrant color.
A distinctive characteristic of Duaneʼs jewelry is its sculptural quality. Using a
hollow-form technique he creates channels into which he inlays his stones that are
separated by thin bands of gold. The combined metals, splashed with color, are
finished with reticulated metal as a decorative overlay. Please accept our invitation to meet this dynamic and talented individual this December.
Storytellers
The time honored Pueblo tradition of working with clay and telling stories
has merged into a modern art form of “STORYTELLER” pottery dolls. The art
of making clay effigies is as ancient as the Anasazi peoples who inhabited the
deserts of New Mexico many centuries ago. In recent history it is the Cochiti
pueblo potters who are most associated with clay effigies depicting many different aspects of their everyday life. Yet, it was not until 1964 that Helen Cordero of
Cochiti pueblo created her first “storyteller” figure. Corderoʼs Storyteller model
was her grandfather who gathered his grandchildren around him to play the drum,
sing them songs, and tell stories of their Indian heritage. It is estimated that there
are well over 200 Pueblo potters now creating Storytellers, and of these, most are
Cochiti.
Every potter has their own special clay, technique, tools, and colors to create
figurative pottery. Popular shapes include men, women and children, animals,
plants and legendary spirit forms. Indian potters also create “Nacimiento” scenes
depicting distinctive Pueblo versions of the Christ Child nativity.
Tribal Expressions is proud to offer Storyteller figures created by the Teller
family of Isleta, New Mexico. What makes the Teller pottery exceptional are
those elements that the casual observer does not readily detect. For example, the
clay is painstakingly mined and prepared. Individual colors are collected from a
broad area and mixed to achieve the distinct Teller pastels. Finally, each figure is
traditionally fired. Stella also adds small turquoise beads to each of her creations.
A host of holiday activities are planned during our show on Saturday November
30th. In addition to our special guests, the Village of Arlington Heights will enjoy
its tree lighting ceremony, and most downtown businesses will remain open for a
“Holiday Stroll” until 8 P.M.
Recent additions to the gallery clearly reveal our quest to satisfy consumer demand
for selection, quality and value. The depth
of inventory has grown in every area. A
few truly unusual additions merit a few additional words.
Porcupine Quill Box
by Yvonne Keshick Walker
The making of Birchbark boxes
decorated with porcupine quills has been
Yvonne Keshick Walkerʼs lifeʼs work.
Because she was born in October, her
tribal name is “Falling Leaf”. Much of
Yvonneʼs artistic abilities derived from her
Odawa/Ojibwa heritage. Using only naturally colored porcupine quills, birch bark,
and sweetgrass, Yvonneʼs quillboxes are
distinguished by unique designs, uniform
quill size, and quality bark. Seldom available outside her native Michigan, Yvonneʼs
quill work sets the standard for judging this
nearly forgotten art.
Koshari by Regina Naha
The Koshari (Tewa Clown) is probably one of the best-known and most
frequently carved figures on the Hopi
mesas. Although their purpose is to
amuse, their humor is often concerned with behavior that is unacceptable to the Hopi way of life. This
animated carving by Regina Naha
stands 7 1/2 inches tall.
TRIBAL TEMPTATIONS
“Stargazer “ Monotype
by Joe Maktima
Like his brother Duane, Hopi/
Laguna artist Joe Maktima draws his
creativity from the artistry that surrounds his ancestors.”Stargazer” a 14
inch square monotype (shown left)
depicts a colorful Yei figure with color
brilliance that only an original can
afford. Several of Joeʼs prints illustrate
our offerings by nationally known
artists.
Kathy Naranjo Gutierrez,
Rose Guiterrez, and Carol
Gutierrez-Naranjo all create
classic black on black and
red San Ildefonso pottery.
With four generations of
potters before them, it
is evident by their classic shapes, even uniform
polish, and well painted
feather designs, that these
sisters have learned much
from their family.
Gallery examples include a
4 x 4 inch lidded red jar with fish, two avanyu design black on black jars 4 1/2
and 2 inches tall, and one, second prize winning 4 x 5 inch black jar, decorated
Whale bone Sculpture
by Wilson Oozeva
Polar bears carved from whalebone
have made Wilson Oozeva one of the
best known carvers on St. Lawrence
Island, Alaska. After being seriously
injured in a whaling accident in 1994,
Wilson has continued to carve and
is now teaching his son, Tenador, to
follow his style. This 6 by 6 by 8 inch
carving is as light as a feather.
Lidded Basket by Bea Herman
Among the finest crafts in
Alaska are the tiny, intricately
woven Yupʼik rye grass baskets.
This double butterfly design
with tight lid stands a mere
3 inches tall. Made of the
abundant, tough and pliable
rye grass by Bea Herman, of
Hooper Bay, it demonstrates
that she has mastered the craft
of basket weaving with remarkable skill.
Songs of the Earth
R. Carlos Nakai in Concert
R. Carlos Nakai
BOOK REVIEWS
Creationʼs Journey, Native American
Identity and Belief, from the National
Museum of the American Indian. This
256 page hard bound edition lavishly
illustrates the objects of daily life that
record the history of the first Americans. By The Smithsonian Institution,
1994 $35.00
Spirits in the Art, By James A.
Hanson. Over 900 objects are illustrated on 264 color plates. The volume
contains never-before seen works of
the Plains and Southwest cultures,
assembled over 50 years by collector
dealer Forrest Fenn and his father. The
Lowell Press, Inc. 1994. $ 90.00
The Blackfeet, Artists of the Northern
Plains, 293 pages, By Bob Scriver.
Now in its second printing this
internationally acclaimed Blackfeet
treasury itself has a 300-year expected
library storage life as determined by
the Council of Library Resources of
the American Library Association.
Pages of color and black and white
photographs accompany one of the
finest collections of Blackfeet material. 1992 $60.00
Sioux Mocassins by R. RedBear
of the Tipi Shop
The inspirational music of R. Carlos Nakai filled Simpson Auditorium at the
Field Museum on Sunday September 17, 1996. Nakai is the worldʼs foremost
performer of Native American flute and in his hands, a flute has the power to
enrapture the listener like no other instrument can. Born in Flagstaff, Arizona and
raised in Navajo land, he was trained in western music, and played the trumpet
in the 1960ʼs. In 1972 Nakai discovered the traditional native flute. His playing
started an adventure for him that led to the release of an album,Changes on Canyon Records, in 1982. He has gone on to record no less than 25 albums on which
he is the principal or collaborative musician. In 1994 his 3rd album with guitarist
William Eaton was a Grammy Awards finalist.
Like stories told in the oral tradition, Nakaiʼs music is not a reiteration of the
same old songs. Carlos says, the way the notes are played comes from the heart,
not the head. They are new each time, and the improvisations performed at the
Field auditorium can be considered totally original. The Native flute is and always
has been an instrument of personal expression. For Carlos it is an outlet like singing, that brings music from the soul.
R. Carlos Nakai, a Navajo-Ute, has lived and studied with Kiowa, Cheyenne,
and his own people, the “Dine” (Navajo) southern Athabascan. His music is
authentically Native American, original, personal, modern, and filled with the rich
heritage of his native traditions. Nakai is a composer, performer and educator. He
appears regularly throughout the United States and Europe, performing in concert
and conducting seminars. Grounded in the world of music, Nakai has invented a
method of writing compositions on paper. His book on the subject is expected to
be published this year. For those who simply want to relax and enjoy native music
we have many of the newest releases by Carlos Nakai and other Native artists on
compact disk and audio tape.
Tribal Expressions is also proud to offer hand carved Native American flutes
made by Ken Light of Arlee, Montana. Living on a wooded hilltop in a small
town on the Flathead Indian Reservation, Ken and his wife Enya specialize in
hand-crafting a variety of Native American flutes. Ken has made more than 2,000
flutes in the 10 years he has been in business. His first flute was inspired by the
beautiful, haunting melodies produced by a 130 year old Indian flute played by
Lacota artist/storyteller, Tony Shearer.
Ken Light has gained a reputation for producing some of the finest instruments
of this kind available, noted for their fine crafting, sonority, and playability. His
instruments are the mainstay of many professional musicians including R. Carlos
Nakai. Four of Kenʼs flutes are available in the gallery.
TRIBAL TIMES
Share a part of your Thanksgiving weekend with Stella and Robin
Teller. The Teller name is synonomous with fine Isleta pottery and has become
favorites among dealers and collectors. Stop in November 29 - December 1 to
view work by this talented family.
Duane Maktima of Laguna and Hopi descent will join us December 1315. The name Maktima means “searching for eagles,” and Duaneʼs creations live
up to this name, reflecting his search for creative expression, grace and form as
effortless as a bird in flight.
Artifact Identification Seminar January 18, 1997. Bring you own arrowheads, spearpoints, and stone tools for evaluation and analysis by Miles Goddard. Miles will do his very best to identify, explain, and evaluate your treasures.
The Tipi Shop will also be here the week end of January 18 & 19 with old and
new art from the Northern Plains.
Denise and Samuel Wallace,
creators of gold, silver and ivory
jewelry, have reluctantly notified
Tribal Expressions that 20 years of
inlaying has caused disk compression
in Samuels spine. He is under doctors orders to cut his workload or risk
spinal surgery. dw Studios will honor
our request for work submitted prior
to Indian Market. When this inventory
is depleted, however, there will be no
replacements.
On behalf of Tribal Expressions
and collectors of the dw jewelry, we
wish “Wally” the very best. We have
enjoyed working with them and we
greatly value the friendship we have
had. We extend an invitation to our
customers to see our collection of dwʼs
unique representations of Alaska Native culture.
Back to School
Scholars are encouraged to exploit
Tribal Expressions research material
for educational studies. In addition to
public presentation to clubs, churches,
and school groups, we have often
assisted with classroom presentations
and studies by providing examples of
Native American materials, research
summaries, books and references. We
welcome the opportunity to provide
information that leads to an understanding of Native people and an
appreciation for Native art.
Jody Naranjo
Indian Memorial
on Death
It is with sadness that we report the
passing of Tachinii Nez Ben, son of
Joe and Wendy Ben. We also regret to
inform you all that one of our prominent artists, Herbert Taylor, Navajo
jeweler was slain in his workshop.
We extend our sincere sympathy and
prayers to both families. Following is
a poem in memory of those who have
gone before.
“Do not stand at my grave and weep:
I am not there. I do not sleep.
I am a thousand winds that blow.
I am the diamond glints on snow.
I am the sunlight on ripened grain.
I am the gentle autumnʼs rain.
When you awaken in the morningʼs
hush,
I am the swift uplifting rush of
quiet birds in circled flight.
I am the soft stars that shine at night.
Do not stand at my grave and cry;
I am not there. I did not die.”
Santa Clara potter Jody Naranjo
has been keeping busy since her appearance at Tribal Expressionʼs 3rd
anniversary celebration last fall. she
gave birth to a daughter Coral Naranjo
chavez on May 13. Coral weighted in
at 6 pounds, 4 ounces. Coral is a happy, healthy baby who likes to watch
mom work on pots in her home studio.
As a result, Jody was able to bring 32
of her creations to Indian Market this
year, all of which promptly sold out in
one hour!
Thanks to Linda Cain, of Cain Communications of Schaumberg, who visited Jody in Santa Clara in September.
Congratulations
Winners
Congratulations to Dennis Clulow,
Chicago, Jerry Jerabek, Green Bay,
and Karen Sauer, Arlington Heights,
as prize winners whose names were
drawn by Watson & Sara Honanie.
Each received pottery, paintings or
jewelry for their participation in our
4th anniversary prize drawing. We
hope all participants enjoyed the
buffalo barbecue, smoked caribou sausage, and moose meet samples. Our
thanks to all who made our anniversary a special event and especially to
Watson and Sara. We look forward to
their return visit.
7 S. Dunton
Denise Wallace
Arlington Hts.
Illinois 60005
®
PRE-SORTED
1st Class Mail
U.S. Postage
Paid
Permit No. 85
Arl. Hts., IL 60005