Poleyestewa, Chester
CHESTER POLEYESTEWA is a Hopi artist who carves only in the traditional style. His katsinas are the same style that the Hopi people have given to their own children for centuries. He is a well-known carver whose work is sought after by collectors around the world.
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Deer Kachina: The Deer Kachina is much like all game animals and dances to bring more of his kind. The staff that is held in both hands represents the front legs of the Deer. Deer provided food and skins for clothing and they are seen in many petroglyphs as well as fetishes used by shaman in many tribes.
This Snake or "Sitalili" Katsina by Hopi carver, Chester Poleyestewa is 13 inches tall and is valued at $360. "Sitalili" makes sure the clowns do not carry their outrageous behavior too far during the ceremonies. He also pours water over the other katsinam to purify them. This particular katsina is made of cottonwood root and includes feathers, shell and leather. Chester's katsinam are always patterned after the original, old-style dolls and may be hung on the wall.
Tsitoto is an ancient Kachina who appears on all three mesas in many ceremonies. The many bands of color and the multicolored feathers provide a rainbow like appearance, and he looks like a walking prayer for summer. Tsitoto is seen most often in the Powamuya or Bean Dance. During this ceremony, which is in February, the Kachinas arrive in force to help the Hopi people prepare for the next growing season. This flower dancer stands 10 1/2 inches tall.
Here is a beautiful Butterfly Katsina, by Hopi carver, Chester Poleyestewa. Chester carves only the old style katsinas, which may be hung on the wall. At first glance, his pieces may seem simple, but the work and painting is of the utmost craftsmanship and quality, the painting exquisite. This Butterfly has a spiny oyster shell teardrop dangling from her forehead, and a beautiful natural turquoise necklace.
Shown is the Supai Katsina by Hopi carver, Chester Poleyestewa. He carves only the old-style katsinas in cottonwood root, which can be hung on the wall. This Supai has detailed painting on the sash and a lovely natural turquoise necklace.
"Knife Wing Dancer"- this Katsina is considered to be the War God of the Zuni. It is often seen in the inlaid jewelry of the Zuni jewelers. Chester Polyestewa has painted this doll with beautiful pigments and decorated the dancer with feathers, which are often considered to be clouds. The doll has a really positive energy, and is probably a rainbow and bird combination. We will have to ask Chester, next time he comes to the gallery.
Hemis Katsina is seen as the Going Home Kachina- he often has mature corn stalks in his hands. A good harvest is produced from his symbols of rain and clouds present in his beautiful headdress. Painted with earth pigments and adorned with feathers that are clouds and grass for harvest.
Crow Mother or Angwusnasomtaka appears during the Bean dance, she is considered to be the Mother of all Kachina. Often seen with Yucca fronds, symbolic of whips for discipline for the children during this initiation into the Katsina Cult. Chester's Crow Mother is cottonwood, pigments and feathers.
White Hemis Katsina by Chester Poleyestewa. Hemis is the farewell Kachina, appears when the Hopi leave the Mesa's for 6 months. He also brings cattails and mature corn to the people, proof of good rains. The terraced headdress represents dark clouds and rainbows. The colors of blue, red and yellow are the rainbow.
Wu-Utii-Maua Katchina. Chester Poleyestewa has recently brought a new collection to us at the gallery. Shown is Grandmother Katsina also known as Happy Mother and the Mother of all the Katsinas. Beautifully carved, painted with a delicate palette of natural pigments and decorated with feathers. She is sweet and smiling, and stands 11 inches tall.
