This outstanding example of
the Wiharu (White Ogre) was carved by one of the finest Hopi
carvers 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 raised and
folds in every cloth and buckskin. Layers upon layers of detail
are depicted in the kachina's regalia. Notice the bunching of
the shirt near the waistband - and the creases in the sole of
the moccasin. In his right hand he holds the menacing blade of
a saw - come to scare the children!
The Ogre has all the traditional
Hopi features and is true to form. The kachina has been carved
out of a single piece of cottonwood, except for the smallest
accessories.
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."
"The fearsome Nataska
always come as a pair. They accompany the Soyoko on their collection
trip and usually stand directly behind the member of the crew
who is bargaining with the relatives of the children.
"They make horrible noises,
dragging their saws [and knives, or whatever it may be] along
the side of the house or on the ground. All the while, they keep
up a steady stamping that makes the turtle-shell rattles on their
legs sound ominously.
"They are supposed to
be able to eat a child whole; from the very earliest age, the
child has heard stories of these monsters - how they would descend
on children playing near the village and haul them away to cook
and eat. So it is no wonder that the children are petrified at
their actual appearance!
"Usually only dark colored
clothes are put on this kachina pair, who should have horns.
The feather fan is made of turkey feathers which are placed close
together to form a large mass behind the head that makes the
figures appear much taller and broader."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artists Documentary (78)
