Loren Phillips
Kwahu Katsina
14 1/4"
H with 2 3/4" base
This outstanding example of
the Kwahu (Eagle) 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. 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 stretched
out wide - and an incredible wingspan. It appears as though he
may leap from the base and take flight!
This Eagle has all the traditional
Hopi features and is true to form. Take a close look at the "breast
feathers" on the chest and shoulder area of the carving.
This is a minute detail almost never seen on most Eagle kachina
carvings.
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."
This dance is not as common
as it might have been at one time, and according to Barton Wright's
Kachinas: a Hopi Artist's Documentary, you might have
the satisfaction of occassionally seeing a performance "in
one of the night ceremonies in March or during the Powamu."
"Usually the personator
imitates the step or motion and cry of the eagle to absolute
perfection. There is evidence that this kachina was imported
into Zuni from the Hopi and is danced there in much the same
manner that it is at Hopi.
This may be why the Eagle
may appear during Pamuya on First Mesa with Zuni Kachinas."
(87)
