Alex Youvella
White Bear
11 1/4"
total height
The White Bear depicted here
is a Hon Kachin, but is more properly described as Köcha
Honau.
"The Bear Kachina is
of such great strength that it is felt he can cure the sick.
He appears in the kachina return or Soyal of First Mesa as the
watchman or side dancer for the Chakwaina.
He may come singly or in a
group during the Palölökong Dance, and may appear in
a number of colors such as Sakwa Honau (Blue Bear) or as illustrated
- Köcha Honau (White Bear). Probably he is most familiar
in the Mixed Kachina Dance, dancing outside the lines.
His most distinctive feature
is the presence of a bear footprint on either cheek."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (114)
Alex Youvella is the youngest
son of the well known Hopi kachina carver and traditionalist
from First Meas, Tino Youvella. Tino has been bringing his carvings
to the trading post for decades, and has had an incredible influence
on his children and in-laws.
Alex has really taken his
father's teachings to a new height. His work stands on its own
and speaks for itself.
Alex has lived in Santa Fe,
New Mexico for the past several years and has enjoyed the exposure
to many types of art and various styles and mediums.
He shows at many venues throughout
the Southwest and has won many awards. We hope to see more work
by this talented young carver.
