Otellie Loloma Pottery

Otellie Loloma Sequafnehma (Hopi, Second Mesa Shipolovi) b. 1922-1992

This Pot has SOLD

Two Graces Plaza Gallery acquired this unique Hopi Pueblo Pottery piece by Otellie Loloma from the estate of Navajo artist and supporter of southwest regional artists, R.C. Gorman. The pot is embellished with face masks of the Long Beard Kachina in profile around the entire circumference to the piece. The pottery is enhanced with a woven handle of willow which includes bits of Coral beads. The pot height not including the handle is 6” the width of the mouth of the pot is 4”. Ottellie’s familiar signature ‘O Loloma’ on the bottom of the pot is strong and bold. Estimate of a date on this piece would be circa early 1980, it is believed that Mr. Gorman would have purchased this directly from Otellie at that time period. This is a unique and rare Otellie Loloma pot. 

Otellie Loloma Pot

“When I start making a piece of pottery or a ceramic sculpture, I begin with an idea drawn from Hopi life and legends. As the piece progresses, the idea becomes part of the clay, subordinated to the overall design. In the finished piece the symbols may not be obvious, but they are there. They are like the seed; they have given their strength to make the plant grow.” a quote by Otellie Loloma, ‘Art and Indian Indiviualists’, Guy & Doris Montana 1975

Photo of Otellie Loloma by Guy Monthan 

In 1945 Otellie Loloma received a scholarship to Alfred University, New York, where she began her  studies over a 3 years time period. There she met Charles Loloma whom she married in 1947. After this she returned to Arizona where she continued her studies at Northern Arizona University and later the College of Santa Fe, New Mexico. In Scottsdale the Lolomas opened the Kiva Craft Center where they sold art by other Native American Artists of the southwest region along with their own ceramics known as ‘Lolomaware’. In 1962 at the invitation of Lloyd Kiva New she became a faculty member of the newly formed Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA), which she retired from in 1988. The classes she taught included Ceramics/Sculpture, Painting, Design and occasionally a Hopi Dance course. In 1968 she performed at the Olympics in Mexico City and around this time at the White House. Otellie was a beloved teacher to her students, nurturing them to bring them to their full potential.

Otellie Signature

“When I teach… I try to instill belief in my students, whether Indian or Non-Indian. When that belief is alive, their work is alive… This belief and aliveness gives the students strength in what they do in any art form or life work… It is what makes me the artist I am… It is what I am all about.” Otellie Loloma interview with James McGrath for Santa Fe Reporter, 1991

Lola Pot from above

“The subject matter is subtly Hopi. There are human female forms with characteristic maiden whorls or buns above the ears, and bowls with masks or faces, but Loloma’s manipulation of the clay is anything but Hopi. Some pieces are wheel thrown, whereas others, especially the sculptures, are constructed…  However modern the treatment of the clay, Loloma’s heritage infuses it…” Laura Graves “Native American Women: A Biographical Dictionary”

A Song for Otellie

 -in memory of Otellie Loloma

Her hands were clay.

With clay fingers, 

 she made portraits of her miwi,

 her relatives.

With clay fingers

 she made bowls for her piki,

 her blue-corn paper bread.

I think of her pots,

 of the fullness inside

 where the treasures are held,

 secure and loved in silence.

She gave me her secret,

 her Hopi name, Sequafnehma.

 “the place in the valley 

  where the squash blossoms bloom.”

With her clay fingers,

 she gave me the bowl for the bear.

In the valley of my eye

 I see her now,

 her pollen covered face

 in the chamois by the roadside,

 in the last sunflower of my garden.

With her clays,

 she lies under stones

 near Corn Rock

 and dances,

 even now in winter,

 with the broken brown fringes

 in cornfields,

 her clay fingers melting in my tears.

    February 1998

    Hopi Reservation, Arizona

    ‘At the Edgelessness of Light: Poems’ by James McGrath

“Arts Faculty at the Institute of American Indian Arts at 4:15 pm” (1968), by Fritz Scholder. Detail of Otellie 

(Courtesy of the New Mexico Museum of Art)

“It must have been fate that made me take a class taught by Otellie. It was like I returned home; clay became my expression. Otellie taught me that each pot has its own life, personality, character and form - and that is what set me free. Pottery is like people, every one is different and not perfect. I thought about this and decided it was an important idea. So I developed a new way, an unconventional way of looking at form.” Jacquie Stevens, ‘Women Artists of the American West’ 2003

Longbeard Kachina Tihu ca. 1965, w Loloma Pot depicting Longbeard

a few Collections which include the work of Otellie Loloma:

National Museum of American Indian

Cooper Hewitt Museum

Philbrook Indian Art Center

Heard Museum

Heye Foundation

Otellie Loloma Pot reverse side

Provenance:

Otellie Loloma

R.C. Gorman Estate

Two Graces, Taos

Longbeard Kachina Doll ca. 1950

“In general and, perhaps, hopefully, it can be said that in some quarters there appears to be a growing understanding of the fact that evolving Indian styles are reflective of the changes occurring within Indian culture, itself.” Lloyd Kiva New from the foreword to ‘Art and Indian Individualists’ G & D Montana 1975

This post is dedicated to all teachers out there in the world who devote their thoughtful knowledge and love to their students. 

R.C. Gorman Estate Part 2

There are many R.C. Gorman stories, most of them are probably true. We were on the special Gorman guest list because I'd brought RC cookies at Christmastime the first year we had moved here to Taos. It's my family tradition to bring home baked cookies to people that were kind to you the previous year, well RC was on my list and from then on I was on his. The poster here is signed, although faded, on each side by RC & Fritz Scholder, although Mr. Scholder was actually taller than RC, Mr. Gorman for this photo shoot thought to wear boots and his 10 gallon hat making himself seem tallest of the 2. After this exhibit in 1973 these two fine Native American artists careers were in full swing. At this point Mr. Scholder was teaching at the Santa Fe Institute of American Indian Arts. He had lived here in Taos nearby to the san Francisco de Asis Church Plaza on the Talpa ridge, his home 300 years ago was part of the lookout station for the Ranchos Plaza. Sorry but the above poster is SOLD a jewel in my personal collection. So far, so good, many of the smaller pieces from the Gorman collection are being snatched up, most of which have not been posted here. I do have 8 beveled mirrors with RCG inscribed at the top available for SOLD, a really nice inexpensive memento, or a great gift, ooh. 1760 Umbrellas California project 1991 in Gorman, California! The above Christo photograph signed: "Dear R.C. Finally Two Great Artists meet! Christo" This too is NFS Pottery Bowl with Long Beard Kachinas and woven handle w/coral beads 4"tall signed by Ottellie Loloma (Hopi 1922-1993) who began teaching at the Institute of American Indian Arts in 1962, married to Charles Loloma who was best known for his innovative contemporary style jewelry and who occasionally collaborated on pottery with his wife. SOLD Since you already know I'm a Kachina nut, this one made me gasp "Two Horn Society w/Rainbow" (or is it some sort of Social Dancer perhaps a Moth?) As I can not find anything at all in the books we'll just say it's extremely rare SOLD which I believe is very fair, size is 14" tall, perfect balance to stand probably ca. 1970's A TRUE collector's item. A collector recently emailed to say who he believes this doll may have been carved by, a bit more investigating needs to be done. This doll has been repaired and I now know it to be the Deity Asoaka which is not a true Kachina, it is in the category with Masau.

Photograph of Gorman family RC is either in the overalls or standing behind post to the left.

6 1/2" x 7" framed SOLD.

Pen and ink Magpie on paper, 3/12" x 5" SOLD

Gorman family photograph probably RC in cowboy hat 7 1/4" x 8" framed SOLD.

Crystal statuette looks like an award given to RC but no inscription perhaps a gift just for fun, sort of like an Academy Award Oscar, perhaps a gift from Elizabeth Taylor herself??? well we'll never know now... 9 1/2" tall SOLD.

Plastic life size Skull, another fun RC humorous item SOLD

Black Angel Candle stick holders Hecho en Mexico 5 1/4" tall & 4 1/2" tall (w/wing repaired) pair SOLD.

Yaki Indian Mask made from goat hide, I do not know the age but this is a nice collector's piece 4" tall (made as a souvenir piece not as a ceremonial dance mask) carved wooden nose and mouth, cardboard ears returned to the Gorman family. SOLD

Carved Oaxacan Leopard vintage 10" long SOLD My neighbor Orly has a pot from Mexico with these very same spots painted onto it.

Photograph of RC with one of his famous models 8" x 10" framed SOLD.

A miniature pottery version of Taos Pueblo village dwelling made of micaceous clay with little details and has a piece of felt attached to the underside

base is 5 1/2" x 6" height just over 4 1/4" SOLD My Buddy Brian seems to think this is by the sister of Bernadette Track but couldn't remember her name, (BT was one of RC's models). I am now told by Juanita Witkop, thank you JW that the Pueblo house is by Jeri Track of Taos Pueblo, and is Bernadette's Mom (not her sister). Jeri Track is in her early to mid 90's! She's been making these Pueblo houses of clay since at least the early 70's, (rather doubt she's making them anymore, but I stand to be corrected and hope she still does make them) quite the lady indeed.

The famous Taos Pueblo Rabbit hunt has been depicted in many of the early Taos Founder paintings, these are two Rabbit Clubs, they look unused and were perhaps given to RC as a token gesture, the rabbit hunt takes place right through RC's backyard to this day. SOLD 

Although this is unsigned and she was known to not sign everything this watercolor is a classic Ila McAfee (1897-1995) on a wrinkly paper that she enjoyed using 8 1/4" x 11 1/4" NFS

The inscription reads: "R.C. There is a certain class of eating that only the French know how to bring out! Michael Heller" I do not know who this person is but classic RC and one of his friends sharing a meal, yum! 7" x 9" framed SOLD

Navajo Family Mud Toy, typically these were made by the Navajo Folk Artist Mamie Deschellie b.1920 Fruitland, NM, and the early ones are not signed but this is a GREAT grouping. The seated figures are 4" - 4 1/2" tall each have a few repairs. I have decided to sell each figure separately they are all sold.

The RC Studio diorama box 4 1/2" tall x 6" wide x 4 1/4" deep with RC, cat, piano and his artwork in the background and on the 'walls' w/glass covering SOLD

PowWow Fancy Dancer Miniature, unidentified watercolor with round mat floating in a frame, amazing the artwork is 1 1/2" the frame is 5 1/4" square SOLD.

A Slender Navajo Hall Mirror wooden carved low relief, yup, it's dirty but wow,

what a find 5 1/4" x 24" priced at SOLD.

Photograph of a classic RC party 8" x 10" framed SOLDJust like old times!

Four Carved Pottery Shards mounted onto a Tobacco Felt Carved animal fetish with heishi eye, carved foot on striped potsherd, carved profile of RC, and a small abalone shell mounted onto potsherd collected at Oso Ridge, NM assemblage by Robert Auer 3 3/4" x 5 1/4" SOLDvery cool, very clever

"RC's Foot" ceramic life size pottery with soft white glaze filled w/glass marbles

length 9" Some of RC's collectors and critics believe that his ability to draw feet was outstanding, perhaps someone cast his fickled foot SOLD RC had big feet!

Below this poster of RC is signed by him with the quote: "Thank You for your Money, R.C. Gorman" currently not in the best of frames 18" x 24" SOLD One of RC's nephews tells me that this was an unauthorized poster, so it's rather odd that RC would have signed it, but it shows his great sense of humor and playfulness, a tribute!

Almost all of these items were purchased at the RC Gorman Estate Sale which took place in his former pottery studio today. There have been a number of Gorman related Estate Sales, today was perhaps the last. Two Graces is always looking for R.C. Gorman related items we have bought and sold a number of pieces over these 7 years. This collection on view and for sale right now in the store is a spectacular treat to behold. There are a few other items which I have not listed here, but if you come by for any part of this collection please ask about what else is available. We are also happy to ship items to collectors out of town. All items come with an attached provenance sticker.

As RC himself would say, Thank You for Your Money!