Cecil Calnimptewa
Laguna Deer
15" total
height
The Laguna Deer dancer is
a variation of the same kachina who takes part in the popular
plaza kachina dances. According to Kachinas by Barton Wright
"he has power over the rain, and of course, when he dances,
he is a prayer for increase of deer.
"Usually when a group
of these dancers appear they are accompanied by a Wolf or Mountain
Lion Kachina as a side dancer. Presumably the first Deer Kachinas
were brought from Awatovi, which may be correct as they retain
a strong Rio Grande appearance.
"The position that this
kachina usually assumes when he dances is that of bending forward
at the waist and resting the front part of the body upon the
short stick that is carried in his hands."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (166)
Cecil Calnimptewa is perhaps
the most well known kachina carver of today. His work has been
featured in nearly ever publication on Hopi kachina dolls and
has been the inspiration behind dozens, if not hundreds, of talented
new artists' work. Whole volumes have been dedicated to his carvings
alone.
As recorded in The Kachina
Dolls of Cecil Calnimptewa, by Theda Bassman "Cecil Calnimptewa
carved and sold his first Kachina doll when he was 18 years old.
Since that time, he has become an innovator, teacher, and master
of the art."
He was born on January 1,
1950, into the village of Moencopi near Tuba City, Arizona, and
is a member of the Bamboo clan.
His work is known far and
wide, as he has received numerous awards and accolades for not
only his skills as a carve, but for the innovations in Hopi kachina
carving which he pioneered.
"His artistry is exhibited
in the fine detail of belts, sashes, and garments as well as
musculature, the motion, and active stance of the doll. He produces
very realistic figures which have sheer aesthetic beauty and
display tremendous power." - The Kachina Dolls of Cecil
Calnimptewa.
