Delwyn Harvey
Chakwaina
6" H
with 1 1/2" base
"This kachina was brought
from Zuni by the Asa Clan when they came to Sichomovi. Since
that time he has spread to the other mesas. However, Chakwaina
originally came from much farther east for he has homologues
in Keresan and Tanoan pueblos along the Rio Grande.
It has been stated that this
kachina represents Estevan the Moor, who led Fray Marcos de Niza
in search of Cibola and was killed at Zuni. This does not seem
too reasonable considering the direction of his diffusion and
the complex relationship of the Chakwaina group to the various
pueblos where it is found.
Chakwaina appears most often
in January during the Kiva Dances - dancing in a line with rather
lively gestures, stooping and turning and singing a spirited
tune. All Chakwaina are warriors."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (99)
Delwyn Harvey, "Wea"
(One of a kind), was born on the Hopi reservation in 1965. He
is a member of the Kachina Crow Clan. Delwyn has been carving
Hopi kachinas since 1978. He is a self taught artist.
Delwyn is also related to
Nuvadi Dawahoya (brother-in-law), who is a master carver in his
own right.
Like other contemporary kachina
carvers, Delwyn hand carves cottonwood root into magnificent
full bodied kachina dolls with a simple tool like a pocket knife.
His carvings are carved with extreme precision and detail.
He applies acrylic paints
to his dolls and paints them very carefully because it is essential
for the Hopi people to represent the kachina as accurately as
possible. Many of his dolls are carved from one continuous piece
of cottonwood. Some of his dolls are sought by collectors all
over the world. Delwyn signs his dolls "D. Harvey."
