Vern Mahkee
Scorpion
7" H
with 3/4" base
Vern Mahkee was born November
13, 1963 and resides in Oraibi, at Third Mesa. He is a member
of the Corn Clan.
Vern is a self-taught artist.
He learned the art of carving by watching his numerous artistic
relatives, like his uncle, the famed Kachina carver Alvin James
Makya, and taught himself their methods as well as developing
his own.
Vern Mahkee first carved Kachinas
as a means of carrying on a religious rite. He began carving
the dolls for sale and entering shows in 1979. Since that time
he has developed a reputation for ultra-fine detail, as well
as beautiful balance in his Kachinas.
He has won awards in such
prestigious shows as the Santa Fe Indian Market. Vern¹s
Hopi name is Kuwanwisiwima.
This kachina is a rarely carved
figure whose function is primarily as a runner - but he appears
here with rabbit-sticks in his hand, indicating that he is also
a hunter.
"This kachina is called
Puchkofmoktaka or Throwing Stick Man on some mesas. At
other times he will be known as Scorpion Kachina because the
Scorpion carries his own throwing stick on the tip of his tail.
"Whatever his name, he
usually carries two rabbit sticks which are made of cloth and
stuffed with cotton. In racing he may either throw these at the
individual who escapes him or belabor the unfortunate loser with
the dummy sticks.
"He is sometimes referred
to as a hunting kachina."
- Barton Wright, Kachinas: a Hopi
Artist's Documentary, (223)
