Loren Phillips
Star / Sohu
15 1/4"
H with 1 3/4" base
"The Star [or Sohu] Kachina
is a strange mixture with his fringed hunting shirt and kilt
of radiating turkey feathers. He does not resemble the usual
Hopi kachina. He appears in the Mixed Kachina Dance but never
comes as a single kachina.
Normally the points of the
stars have red stained "warrior" feathers on the tips,
and the top of the head is covered with sheepskin dyed black,
rather than real hair."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (125)
This incredible rendition
of the Hopi Star kachina (Sohu) was carved by one of the finest
Hopi carvers of today, Loren Phillips. Loren was born in Moencopi,
Arizona in 1942. Loren consistently wins "Best of Show"
awards, especially at the annual Hopi Artists exhibition at the
Museum of Northern Arizona in the past. Because Loren participates
in the ceremonial dances, he knows every symbolic detail that
is significant to each kachina doll he carves.
Loren's tools for carving
are predominately pocket and hunting knives, from which he carves
the finer details of patterns, textures and decorative lines.
He is very particular about the sanding and finishing of his
dolls, especially the last steps of staining and painting. Loren
has developed his own method of applying stains to give the surface
a beautiful luster, through which the grain of the wood is still
visible. All of this is very evident when you look at this kachina.
Loren is very meticulous about
the creation of his dolls, and his hallmark is the motion and
action he puts into every doll. This kachina is truly an action
doll. The posture shows tremendous action, with arms reached
out to warn any who would misbehave!
Loren Phillips is featured
in every book about Hopi carvers, including "The Art of
the Hopi" by Jerry & Lois Jacka, "Kachina Dolls"
by Helga Tiewes, "Kachina Doll Carving" by Erik Bromberg
and "Hopi Kachina Dolls and their Carvers" by Theda
Bassman.
Loren has signed the bottom
of the base: "Loren Phillips, Hopi, Moencopi Village."
