Arizona 2008 Official State Visitor's Guide - (Page 29) Heard Museum ©AOT Monument Valley Tribal Park ©AOT Traditional Navajo Hogan ©AOT I’ve been able to see Navajo rug weavers in action across the state, from Tucson’s Arizona State Museum to the Museum of Northern Arizona in Flagstaff, and of course at the Hubbell Trading Post in Ganado. The road to Ganado is one of my favorite drives; I love heading up U.S. 191 through rolling hills clothed in red, pink and brown and spangled with piñon pines, creosote and juniper, dotted with homesteads and traditional hogans (Navajo structures). However, it’s unusual to see three from the same family at one venue, so I choose on this trip for a shorter drive to Surprise. The T eller Ornelases hail from the T wo Grey Hills region of the Navajo Nation, in northeastern Arizona. Each region has its own distinctive textile style, evolved over generations of Navajo, or Diné history. For example, T wo Grey Hills rugs are intricately designed; they’re woven with natural sheep wool in hues of black, brown, cream and gray, handspun nearly as small as thread and very smooth to the touch. The newest generation of weavers reworks ancient art by incorporating new technologies and ideas. “Weaving has always been a contemporary art,” says Sierra. She and Michael frequently derive inspiration from old 1980s-era video games. “Weaving is all very square,” Sierra adds. “We discovered we could weave any ’80s game because they’re all so pixilated.” All three Teller Ornelases also craft more traditional rugs. Michael notes that even mistakes can end up becoming part of a pattern, pointing out a T Grey Hills rug with some wo shorter-than-usual arms. “Y ou have two choices: take it apart or work it into the design,” Michael says. Sierra recognizes her role as a link in a chain of weavers stretching back to the origin of the Navajo People. “Whether we’re a thousand miles away or sitting with my Mom in our living room,” says Sierra, “we are a fraternity of weavers. I see my hands changing into my mom’s, my grandmother’s.” carVing a brighT fuTure for young hoPiS Ryon Polequaptewa is just 27, but he’s already making his mark as a master katsina doll carver, accomplished musician and educator. Just a few years back, however, Polequaptewa teetered on the edge. “I was starting to get into trouble back home,” says Polequaptewa, who hails from the village of Sipaulovi, perched high on the Hopi Reservation’s Second Mesa. “My brother T eyron told me I had to do something. He gathered ” some cottonwood and a carver’s knife – and an artist was born. Sipaulovi is noted for its katsina carvers; even Hopi’s current vicechairman, T odd Honyaoma Sr., another village scion, carves fine dolls. T of Honyaoma’s katsina carvings, wo purchased during my last trip up north, watch over me while at work. “When I discovered I could carve,” says Polequaptewa, a member of the Hopi Sun Clan and a third generation artist, “I brought my clothes and some wood down to my aunt’s home w w w.ari zonaguide.com • 29 http://www.arizonaguide.com
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