Native Art Basics from Arlene's

Here is some basic info about Native American pottery and sandpainting.

Native American Pottery
When we say "Indian pottery" we usually mean that made by the Pueblo Indians. Although other tribes practice the art, that of the Pueblos is best known. While one pueblo often adapts certain features from a neighbor, each has its distinctive characteristics.

Each uses the clay found near by. The method of shaping the pots is the same, rolling the moist clay into a coil, shaping the coil by hand as desired, without the use of the potter's wheel, and smoothing the surface with a smooth stone or similar object. Methods of firing differ, as is shown by the color and finish. Each pueblo has its distinctive designs, many of them handed down or copies from those of prehistoric times.

It is wise to remember that most Indian pottery will not hold water, unless a protective coating of shellac or the like is applied to the inside.

Following are some brief notes to help identify the various types.

ACOMA. Light cream, almost white, background. Designs red or orange, often outlined in black. Has a slight "ring" when tapped slightly. Is said to be the only type which will hold water.

HOPI. Background light to deep reddish tan. Striking designs, flowing in character, reddish brown or black. Smooth eggshell finish.

SAN JUAN. Red on tan polychrome marked by slight depressions, grooves or incising clear around the pot.

JEMEZ. Decorated after firing with intricate traditional patterns using commercial paints. Also make pottery in completely traditional ways in native materials and techniques.

ZIA. Reddish brown on light tan. Often characterized by the "sky band," a wide diagonal band, sometimes in a zigzag effect. A highly stylized bird is frequently used in the decoration.

SANTA CLARA. SAN ILDEFONSO. Each makes black on black, also red on red. Sometimes the contrast is obtained by combining a matte with a glossy finish, sometimes the design is incised so the background stands out in relief. Decorations in contrasting colors are also used.

TAOS. PICURIS. Rough finish, little ornamentation. Mostly grayish brown. Picuris may be distinguished by a sheen, due to mica in the clay used.

TESUQUE. Surface rough, almost dusty looking. Decorated after firing with very bright show card (Water base) colors, which will run by even a drop of water.

ZUNI. Zuni pottery is distinguished by the use of water symbols--frogs, dragonfiles, and the like. Sometimes the frogs, etc., are sculptured and then applied to the pot. A deer with heart line is also often used.

LAGUNA. SANTO DOMINGO. SAN FELIPE. ISLETA. Santo Domingo frequently shows a conventionalized flower, often in black and white, sometimes with other colors. Isleta somewhat resembles Acoma in colors used, but the designs are usually small, spaced rather than flowing together.

COCHITI. Known for pottery sculptures, figurines and recently, story tellers. Also vessels with attached clay animals to the usual shapes.

Sandpainting
Sandpainting is a very old Southwest Indian Art in which the Medicine Man "paints" loosely upon the ground, or, on some occasions, upon buckskin or cloth, by letting the sands flow with control and skill through his sensitized fingers. He may use also, in conjunction with the sands of natural color, corn meal, flower pollen, powdered roots and bark, in the execution of this ritual.

The Medicine Man is an "Intiate" among his people, for his position has been earned not only through inclination, but also after long years of apprenticeship.

Because of the sacred nature of this ceremony, the sandpainting is begun, finished, used, and destroyed within a twelve hour period, and is therefore virtually unknown except in the Southwest.

There are two definite types of sandpaintings, those that belong to the rhythm of the night and those that belong to the rhythm of the day. Nature behaves differently during the night, so man, like his brothers of the animal and the vegetable kingdoms, must do likewise. A sandpainting belonging to the night chant must be begun right after sunset and be made, used and destroyed before sunrise the following morning. A day sandpainting is begun at sunrise and finished, used and destroyed before sunset of the same day.

The chanting and rituals have a miraculous effect upon the patient, for the Indian knows that the healing power of the "sing" is good for a sick mind and a sad heart. the ceremony may or may not cure his physical body, but nevertheless, he believes deeply in the power of the Ancient One that comes to help him resolve his inner conflicts by establishing a peaceful and harmonious condition within himself and the world around him.