Karen Abeita

Biography to Display:

1960 Born Albuquerque, New Mexico

BIOGRAPHY

Karen Abeita is known for her delicately painted surfaces. She works using traditional methods, gathering clay from the Hopi reservation, hand coiling, hand polishing, hand painting and firing outdoors.

Her surface decoration incorporates traditional motifs including bold geometric patterns, katchina figures and the Polik-Mana (Butterfly Maiden). Abeita’s outdoor firing is carefully controlled to achieve her desired surface effects.

Abeita learned pottery techniques from Mark Tahbo, Fawn Navasie, and Rondina Huma. Her work has been recognized at the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Indian Market and at numerous other exhibitions and invitational.

Bibliography

Bibliography to Display:

Jacka, Jerry D, and Lois E. Jacka. Art of the Hopi: Contemporary Journeys on Ancient Pathways. Flagstaff, Arizona: Northland Pub, 1998.

___________________________. Beyond Tradition: Contemporary Indian Art and Its Evolution. Flagstaff, Arizona: Northland Pub, 1988.

Reno, Dawn E. Native American Collectibles: Identification and Price Guide. New York: Avon Books, 1994.

Wade, Edwin L, and Allan Cooke. Canvas of Clay: Seven Centuries of Hopi Ceramic Art. Sedona, Arizona: El Otro Lado, 2012.

Typical Marks

Seed Jar with Eagle Tail Design

Materials: Local Clay
Method: Coiled
Surface Technique: Polychrome, Slip

Crocker Art Museum, gift of Loren G. Lipson

Citation: "The Marks Project." Last modified February 11, 2024. http://www.themarksproject.org/marks/abeita

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Karen Abeita