Rivera, Robert
Robert Rivera is passionate about gourds. For most of us, there's nothing exciting about a field of gourds with their pale bulbous backs hunkering into the earth. But for Rivera, they are a field of possibilities. "When I look at a bunch of gourds, I see quail, pots with Mimbres designs, canteens, storytellers; I know exactly what design I will use."
Rivera is a soft-spoken man with an open, honest face. His eyes grow wide with wonder when he talks about all the ideas he has floating around in his head. He is of Apache, French and Spanish descent. Today Rivera sells everything he makes. In fact, the demand is so great that he can't keep up. Rivera said he enjoys watching the expressions on people's faces when they look at his work. "Seeing how excited people get about the art means more to me than anything else. I like to think that these pieces will still be around long after I'm gone." While Rivera admits that anyone can paint a gourd, his gourds are making the quantum leap from craft to fine art. "I create are from gourds because I love to. Everything goes in a circle. It always comes back." (Partially excerpted with permission from FOCUS Magazine/Santa Fe. Article by Segue Smith.) |  | |
Robert Rivera did a Kachina series and this is his interpretation of the Crow Mother Kachina. The main body is a gourd, and is embellished with feathers, lapis, shell, fabric and other materials. Each of Robert's unique one of a kind pieces are signed and dated.
Anasazi Replica Olla by New Mexico gourd artist Robert Rivera. One large gourd hollowed out creates this replica of a Anasazi ceramic vessel. Measures 15 inches by 13 inches tall.
Mudhead Kachina Gourd Mask- The natural squash has been left in it's original color and accented with fabric, feathers, leather, and horsehair. Hangs on the wall and measures 15 inches long.
Robert Rivera recreates traditional Pueblo art forms in gourds. The Crow Mother Kachina (Angwusnasomtaka) is a figure of great dignity and considered by many Hopi to be the Mother of all Kachinas. This is Robert's interpretation of that doll. Measures 16 inches tall.
Acoma Lady has a pot on her head, her body is a natural gourd and she is decorated with leather and Robert has painted a design on her. The pot on her head is a real Acoma piece of pottery. Robert often uses Native American accents on his fine, one of a kind gourd sculptures. The Lady stands 10 inches tall.
Gourd Mask by New Mexico artist Robert Rivera. Robert layers his work with paint, natural materials like horse hair, shell, feathers, jewelry, and plenty of creativity. Measures 22 1/2 inches from tip to tip.
Deer Mask by gourd artist Robert Rivera measures 26 1/2 inches long. The mask is decorated with real antlers, turquoise and shell. The main body of the mask is a natural gourd and is painted.
Mirror image Mimbres inspired birds are painted on to the surface of this natural gourd. With the handle and horse hair tassels included the rattle measures 21" long.
Thunderbird Rattle is hand painted on the natural color of the gourd. There is a square piece of Turquoise in the middle of the bird. The rattling comes from the dried seeds of the gourd fruit. It measures 7 inches in diameter and 21 inches long with the handle and horsehair tassels.
Functional and decorative describes Robert Rivera's Rattles. Beautiful on the wall, and a musical instrument when you shake them. The dried seeds of the gourd rattle inside, the outside is painted on the natural background of the gourd. The turtle has a snake skin shell and sterling and turquoise button.
Double Katsina made of gourd, turquoise, feathers and other mixed media, 33" x 22-1/2" tall.
