Inventory for Hopi Artist Raymond Poseyesva (1901 ? - 1953)
Raymond Poseyesva of Shungopavi, Hopi, was part of the early twentieth-century Native American watercolor school that painted in what has been called flat style generally characterized by the absence of or little use of perspective or shadow. A contemporary of such early Hopi greats as Otis Polelonema, Fred Kabotie, and Waldo Mootzka, little is known of Raymond Poseyesva.
Shown here are two early Hopi flat school watercolors illustrating an Añya katcina and the interior of a Sikyatki Polychrome bowl painted by Raymond Poseyesva. In the time period that these watercolors were painted Hopi illustrations of pottery designs by men were rare with katcinas being more commonly illustrated and probably easier to sell.
Very little information exists on Raymond Poseyesva. Snodgrass (1968:149) mentions Poseyesva's tendency to depict katcinas, that he was originally from Shungopovi, on Second Mesa, and was, at some time a resident of Winslow, Arizona. Tanner (1973:259) makes slight reference to him parroting Snodgrass's comments and adding that he was "a very old Hopi in the 1950s...." information probably based on her conversations with noted ethnologist Alfred Whiting (see her footnote). Lester (1995:444), repeats Snodgrass and adds no new information other than a middle name, John. Lester's evidence for this middle name is lacking.
The Añya katsina (alt: katcina, kachina, katchina), also known as Angakchina, is more commonly called Long Hair Kachina. Earle and Kennard (1971:Plate XVI) describe this katsina:
"This Kachina has a counterpart at Zuni and it is significant that many words in the songs are Zuni words. The hair generally the Hopi's own, hangs loosely down his back and downy eagle feathers rise from it. A few also hang from the mask across the beard. A cluster of parrot feathers is tied to the crown. Large ear bobs are used and a black skein of yarn hangs around the neck. The body is painted black and brown."
A federal census entry in 1930 states his age as 28 putting his birth year at about 1901 or 1902 - he is listed as a farmer with a "home garden." And presents the spelling of his name as Poseyesoa. An Indian Census Roll done at Hopi in 1930 clearly states his birth year as 1901. A death certificate on file with the Arizona Department of Health Services would seem to be associated with this artist. According to that form, a Raymond Poseyesva, living "all his life" at Shungopovi, died on March 27, 1953, the cause of death was listed as lead poisoning. No birth date was recorded, his occupation was recorded as "farming and painting."
Shown here are two early Hopi flat school watercolors illustrating an Añya katcina and the interior of a Sikyatki Polychrome bowl painted by Raymond Poseyesva. In the time period that these watercolors were painted Hopi illustrations of pottery designs by men were rare with katcinas being more commonly illustrated and probably easier to sell.
Very little information exists on Raymond Poseyesva. Snodgrass (1968:149) mentions Poseyesva's tendency to depict katcinas, that he was originally from Shungopovi, on Second Mesa, and was, at some time a resident of Winslow, Arizona. Tanner (1973:259) makes slight reference to him parroting Snodgrass's comments and adding that he was "a very old Hopi in the 1950s...." information probably based on her conversations with noted ethnologist Alfred Whiting (see her footnote). Lester (1995:444), repeats Snodgrass and adds no new information other than a middle name, John. Lester's evidence for this middle name is lacking.
The Añya katsina (alt: katcina, kachina, katchina), also known as Angakchina, is more commonly called Long Hair Kachina. Earle and Kennard (1971:Plate XVI) describe this katsina:
"This Kachina has a counterpart at Zuni and it is significant that many words in the songs are Zuni words. The hair generally the Hopi's own, hangs loosely down his back and downy eagle feathers rise from it. A few also hang from the mask across the beard. A cluster of parrot feathers is tied to the crown. Large ear bobs are used and a black skein of yarn hangs around the neck. The body is painted black and brown."
A federal census entry in 1930 states his age as 28 putting his birth year at about 1901 or 1902 - he is listed as a farmer with a "home garden." And presents the spelling of his name as Poseyesoa. An Indian Census Roll done at Hopi in 1930 clearly states his birth year as 1901. A death certificate on file with the Arizona Department of Health Services would seem to be associated with this artist. According to that form, a Raymond Poseyesva, living "all his life" at Shungopovi, died on March 27, 1953, the cause of death was listed as lead poisoning. No birth date was recorded, his occupation was recorded as "farming and painting."
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"Añya Katcina" circa 1930s, Watercolor
Hopi Pottery Design Sikyatki Polychrome, circa 1930s, Watercolor
