Ted Pavatea
Hot Dogs
11 1/2"
H with 2" base
Theodore (Ted) Pavatea was
born July 5th, 1952 to the village of Hano, (Tewa Pueblo). His
paternal clan is Tobacco, and his maternal clan is Spider/Bear.
He is the son of Tewa-Hopi
potter Garnet Pavatea, who demonstrated Hopi pottery and exhibited
at the Museum of Northern Arizona Hopi Artist’s Exhibition
from 1953-1981.
Ted had an interest in art
since the age of 6 years. As an 8th grader in Junior High, he
had a one man show at the Art Barn in Flagstaff, AZ in 1967 with
his paintings and drawings. He went on to study at the Institute
of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico in 1971-1973.
He also studied Advanced Design and Illustration at Northern
Arizona University from 1973-1975.
As a student at the Institute
of American Indian Arts, he received a graphic arts award. He
later did a project with Grand Canyon National Park Services,
as well a illustrate a manual on campground services.
Ted then went on to work as
an illustrator for Navajo Nation Family Planning during the summers
of 1986-1988. Ted also illustrated a children’s book for
Educational use titled Navajo Nation 1990.
Ted started committing more time to being an artist in 1994.
He enjoys designing, painting
and most of all carving from miniature to larger Kachina dolls.
He enjoys doing humorous dolls such as Tewa/Hopi clowns and Navajo
clowns with animals. He works hard to capture the spirit and
movement of each piece with flare and detail.
“As an artist, I find
it rewarding and educational, knowing the effects of creativity
in the air, and the feel for it. I get my inspiration from my
mother who use to tell me, “make the most of your gifted
talent, if you are not lazy, you will find rewards in your hands.”
I find this at times very true, since I get my biggest satisfaction
out of creating and exposing myself to the art world.”
“I find a lot of talent
and competition in the art world, mainly among youth, which I
think is super since I myself want to educate and lend my expertise
to these young people. Take for example, my nephew Mell Pavatea
(deceased Dec. 1996), whom I tried sharing my support and guidance
during his short term in the art world (carving).
I still want to look upon
the young talent to carry on our tradition, to expose our hidden
talents to the fullest, opening new techniques and artistry to
the public in general. I could go on, regarding the topic on
art, since I think of myself as a self-made artist molded into
one.”
Recently Ted's Koyala clown
was featured in an article in the prestigious magazine Cowboy's
& Indians where their focus subject was "Sacred
Clowns of the Hopi."
This particular clown features
his trademark koshare, with a little dog begging for the string
of hot dogs he holds in his hand, making up our trio of "hot
dogs." Ted's clowns always have something unique about them,
and their features are always exagerated in a whimsical sort
of way.
