Arthur Holmes
Sr.
(Huminimptewa)
Crow Man
16 3/4"
H with 1 1/2" base
"Angwus Kachina is the
Crow Kachina. This kachina is one of the warriors who make war
on the clowns during the Plaza Dances or who appear in the Soyohim
of late spring.
"He comes to threaten
the clowns for their immoderate behavior, appearing again and
again until finally he and others who have the same function
descend upon the clowns and thoroughly chastize them."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (158)
Here he stands with his yucca
reeds ready to whip any disobedients. The tension in is cape
and shirt is fantastic. Among the most impresive details are
the two feathers swaying atop his head and the life-like naja
dangling from his strand of turquoise.
Arthur Holmes Sr. is the father
and teacher of well-known Hopi carver, Arthur Holmes Jr. Both
have received recognition for their superb work in kachina carving.
Highly sought after by collectors, both Arthur Sr. and his son
keep busy producing some of the finest carvings available.
Their work can only be found
in the most discriminating collections, galleries, and museums
around the world. Arthur has a truly unique vision for realistic
contemporary kachina carving which he has succesfully passed
on to his son.
As a Hopi Kachina Carver,
Arthur Holmes, Sr. has often found that the pieces he carves,
will become what they want to become. Every aspect of this piece
is detailed to the extreme. We took special notice of the hands,
fingernails, and folds in the sash and robe. A special feature
is the cluster of feathers emerging from the mouth - representing
the sacred "breath" of life. This is a rare and sometimes
considered taboo feature but adds a great deal of character
to this piece.
Like his son, Arthur Sr. is
a very quiet person who enjoys carving in seclusion. This approach
seems fitting since so much of the Kachina tradition involves
a reverence for the natural and animal world. This same regard
for nature and the spiritual realm is reflected in Arthur's highly
detailed and extremely realistic carvings.
If you're looking to add an
excellent example by one of the living-masters - here's your
chance.