SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Valerie Namoki-James

Name
Valerie Namoki-James
Tribe
Hopi Tewa
Main Classification
Classification #2
Classification #3

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
PAL N 248
WIM24
SFIM24

SWAIA Highlight History

Featured in 2024
Read Here

2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Valerie Namoki-James

I harvest my natural clay/slip from the Hopi Reservation. The clay/slip can be in rock form. I pound the rocks into small pebbles and grind the pebbles, into a powder form. I clean my clay/slip, by using a "shear" material (like shear curtains) by sifting the powder to remove the impurities. I then capture the soft powder form. I add warm water to my powdered clay and mix. I wait a day before building a piece. My Katsina bowls begin as a pinch pot. I add coils to obtain my desired size. I build the bowl to stand in an "up-right" position. I add a head to the top, then adorn with a wreath, hair and/or headdress/feathers. Pieces are cleaned when dry, by using a sandpaper to create a smooth texture. I moisten the piece and hand burnish each piece with a river stone to create a smooth glossy texture. For pieces that twist, I begin with circular coils, then switch to square coils. I lay the square coils slightly "off-center" as I build upward to create a gradual twist. Pieces are kiln fired

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