Ros George
Soyok Wuhti
15" H
with 2 1/2" base
"The awesome figure of
the Monster Woman [Soyok Wuhti] appears during the Powamu
ceremony as one of the many Soyoko who threaten the lives
of the children. Dressed all in black, with long stragling hair,
staring eyes and a wide-fanged mouth, she carries a blood smeared
knife and a long jangling crook - a truely fearsome creature
to the children.
When she speaks, it is in
a wailing falsetto or with a long dismal hoot of 'Soyoko'-u-u-u,'
from which her name is derived. She may reach for the children
with the long crook and threaten to put them in the basket on
her back, or to cut off their heads with the large knife that
she carries in her hand utterly terrifying her young audience.
On some mesas she may be the
ogre that threatens a small child who has been naughty and bargains
with a relative to ransom the child, but on others she is not.
In some villages she leads the procession of the ogres; in others
she remains at the side, content to make threatening gestures."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary (74)
Ros George is another prolific
kachina carver whose work can be found in only the most descriminating
collections. As an award-winning carver, he focuses primarily
on pieces for his shows and long list of buyers from around the
world.
Ros is featured in "Hopi
Kachina Dolls and their Carvers" by Theda Bassman. His story
is a compelling one. He started with animal figures, but has
become well known for his Soyok Wuhti - as presented here.
Ros took on his father's name,
prefering it over his given name, Amos, after his father passed.
He signs "Geo." or "George."
Here, the Soyok Wuhti stands
ready to strike. She certainly strikes fear into the hearts of
her audience. This is a classic piece for Ros and he has done
an excellent job finishing the piece. Notice the tendons in the
top of the hand grasping the crooked cane.
If you're looking to add an
excellent example by one of the living-masters - here's your
chance.
