Dee Setalla, Hopi-Tewa Traditional Pottery Shard Bowl

Hopi-Tewa artist Dee Setalla has handcrafted this beautiful Pottery Shard Pottery Bowl.  The pot has a design that is intricate and unique.  Dee Setalla used the traditional Pottery Shard design and made it his own.  This pot was fired and painted in the traditional steps and has Setallas hallmark displayed on the bottom of the pot.

Pottery Dimensions:
Opening: 3" Inches
Across Top: 8 3/4" Inches
Around: 28" Inches
Bottom: 1 3/4" Inches
Height: 2 3/4" Inches
Weight: 9.0oz

Dee Johnson Setalla
Hopi artist Dee Johnson Setalla was born on July 17, 1963.  He was born in Bear Clan Mishongnovi and has been an active artist since 1970.  
He is the son of Justin and Pauline Setalla and learned his talent from his mother Pauline Setalla and Eunice "Fawn" Navasie (father's sister.)  He has won several awards a variety of different shows all over the southwest.  His favorite designs are Birds, moths, butterflies, bear claws, clouds, rain (from father's Water Clan.)
"I pray each morning with corn meal,"  Dee Johnson Setalla began explaining his spiritual approach to potter making.  "You must be very grateful for the clay and pottery…When we dig clay, we leave food there.  You can't be greedy and not leave anything."
We met Dee at the 1998 Santa Fe "Indian Market," clustered under his awning, as a summer rain shower faded.  He spoke kindly about his nine other brothers and sister, parsing their mother, Pauline Setalla, and his fathers's sister. Aunt Eunice "Fawn" Navasie.  He shared their philosophy, "When working with the clay, it's like you're bringing it to life.  You must treat it with respect.  You treat it like you are raising a child, and guide it through the growing stages.  It's not just steps out of tradition, but a personal nurturing as well.  
"Hopi-Tea Pottery" 500 Artists Biographies, American Indian Series.
By: Gregory Schaaf