Fannie Loretto
Jemez
Koshare Mask
14" H
x 12" W
(approx. overall
measurements)
Fannie Loretto, “Little
Turqoise”, is from Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. She was born
April 22, 1953 and has been working in clay since she was a child.
She learned to make pottery from her mother, Carrie Loretto.
Fannie comes from a large family of potters, six sisters, all
of whom have made a name for themselves in the American Indian
Art World. Her daughter (Kathleen Wall) and two sons (Marcus
Wall and Adrian Wall) are also well known artisans.
Fannie studied fine art at
Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado and has been a professional
artist her whole life. Originally, she was known for her traditional
storyteller figurines. She then moved into creating clay sculpture,
depicting pueblo dancers. Most recently, she has impressed the
Indian Art Market with her clay masks.
Fannie uses only the traditional
clay and paints, harvested from the earth by hand. The long tedious
process of preparing the clay for use is a skill that was taught
to her by her mother. She continues to use these traditional
techniques and marries them with new ideas to create exciting
new forms of Native American Art.
Fannie has received several
awards for her creations including 1st place ribbons at Santa
Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Show, and Eight Northern Pueblo
Shows.
