Malcolm Fred
Priest Killer
7 1/4"
H with 1" base
While this figure may seem
rather macabre, it should be understood within the Hopi cultural
and historical context.
During the Pueblo Revolt period
of 1680, the Hopis participated in their own revolt - purging
their villages of catholicism by burning cathedrals and taking
the lives of any priests who refused to leave.
Over time, a kachina was introduced
to explain these events and also to take on the identity of those
who participated in the bloodshed.
Malcolm Fred always does a
nice job of detailing his work - especially reaching into the
difficult areas and finishing them off nicely. One look at his
figures will make you wonder how he gets "in there."
Malcolm is truly a key carver among Hopi kachina doll makers.
Malcolm comes from a large
family of Kachina carvers which include brothers Jim, Verlan,
Henry, Nathan and Glen. He has been carving and winning awards
since he was a teenager.
His awards include a Zuni
Fire God which he entered into the 1996 Arizona State Fair. He
is married to and has 3 children with a Zuni lady. One of his
favorite kachinas is the whipper which he seems to do most frequently.
Malcolm is of the Greasewood
and Roadrunner clans, and was raised in the village of Bacavi.
He has been carving for 25 years. His motivation comes from his
religion, history, and the freedom of expressing his inner feelings.
Malcolm continues to achieve
incredible realism in his figures, and is known for his large
and well-proportioned figures.
This is a particularly nice
example of Malcolm's ability as a "one piece" carver.
You can see how the base takes the same overall shape as the
posture of the figure.
Malcolm always does a nice
job with proportion, and his hands and fingers are always nicely
detailed.
