Paul Sewemaenewa
Cross Legged
8 1/2"
H with 2 1/4" base
"Huhuwa is known as the
Cross-Legged Kachina or on First Mesa, the Snare Kachina. Folklore
has it that this kachina is the spirit of a man from Second Mesa,
probably Mishongnovi, who has some crippling disease that left
him barely able to walk. Despite this handicap he was so cheerful
and eager to help others that he still continues among the Hopi
as a kachina.
"He often appears as
a pair of kachinas hobbling about some village during a ceremony
chattering between themselves. He is probably chosen more often
as a gift-giving kachina at Powamu times than any other kachina.
"He is noted for his
remarks which are always humorous. He imitates the dialects of
the various villages and the funny things the villagers have
done. His clothes are always ragged and give the appearance of
having been rescued from the moths in some Hopi storeroom.
"Yet he is always greeted
with delight by all who see him."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary, (40)
Paul hails from Third Mesa
- the village of Hotevilla. He is a young carver at only 34 years
old, but has been carving since he was only 7 years old. Born
in Ganado, Arizona - he is of the Roadrunner and Greasewood clans
of Hopi.
He credits his uncles with
teaching him the kachina carving art. His favorite designs include
animals, morning kachinas, and maiden kachinas.
"This is a talent that
I have been fortunate to be taught by my uncles when I was very
young. Doll carving was a way to support myself with things that
I wanted when I was a child all the way to my adult life. This
has always been a means of supporting my family and myself.
"I enjoy carving because
every piece I create has a little piece of myself in it. Each
piece of cottonwood has a specific art form in it. When I start
carving the kachina, working within the wood, it will come right
out and show itself, but if I try to go against what is within
the wood, it takes longer and things don't usually work out the
way you want.
"I enjoy teaching my
carving talent to people who are serious about learning and who
are willing to make something out of being able to learn. My
carvings mean a lot to me. I don't make them just to make them.
I always think about how my carvings are and where they live
and how they are being taken care of.
"I am very grateful to
my uncles Bill & Willard Sewemaenewa for always pushing and
encouraging me to learn this art."
- taken from Paul's own autobiographical
statement
