Lee Grover
Jr.
Left-handed
Hunter
8 1/2"
total height
The Left Handed Kachina is
said by some to be derived from the Hualapai Nation, but other
Hopi attribute them to the Chemehuevi. He is called left handed
because his gear is reversed.
To draw an arrow from the
quiver he must use his right hand rather than his left as is
normal. The Kachina moves with strange bobbing and little choppy
steps. Despite his odd behavior, he is an excellent hunter.
"He is a favorite subject
for the carving of kachina dolls or the paiting of pictures,"
records Barton Wright. Incidentally, Lowell happens to be left-handed
and has adopted the Left-handed kachina as his mascot.
The Left-handed kachina, Suy-ang-e-vif,
may act as a prompter in a dance or be found making odd little
bows and taking small mincing steps at the edge of a procession.
A great deal of the time he
has trouble with the Ho'-e when they appear in the same dance.
[When together], one of the usual pair keeps up a steady step
while the other points to evidence of [game] they are obviously
hunting.
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (32)
Lee has done a nice job with
this piece - and we recommend him as "one to watch."
His kachinas are at a nice price and will likely only continue
to improve and increase in value.
Lee Grover is from First Mesa,
Tewa Village (Hano). He is in his early 30's and has been carving
since his youth (12-14 years). He enjoys carving Owls and Bears.
He puts a lot of detail into his work which have been recognized
as "nice, clean dolls."
