K459 Male Shalako
Male Shalako by master Hopi kachina carver Adrian Poleahla. The 18 3/4” x 10 1/2” x 2 1/4” kachina on a 2” x 6” base is carved from cottonwood root in the traditional Hopi manner. Ca 2005
The Male and Female Shalako appear as a pair. More than eight feet in height, they are tall and slender and without arms. They move in a graceful manner and dip as they move slowly. The pair are referred to as sister and brother. When dancing, they are accompanied by Hahai-i-Wuhti and the Cloud Katsinas. The male and female are distinguished by the color of their moccasins—turquoise for the male and white for the female. Both male and female have a rainbow chin and turquoise necklaces.
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About the artist
Adrian Poleahla
Adrian Poleahla is a fine kachina carver, noted for his detailed and realistic figures, often "caught" in action. He has also been able to adapt his level of detail to some small paintings as well.
Adrian Poleahla was born in Keams Canyon, Arizona, and comes from the Corn and Water Clan. He is an accomplished Kachina carver who has been carving Kachinas over thirty years, starting at the age of 5. He learned carving from his father, John Poleahla, and brothers Irwin, Wayne, Shona, and John Jr. Adrian carves his dolls in the traditional material of cottonwood with precision detail and three dimensional attention to every surface and angle.
ARTIST STATEMENT:
“Every Kachina I do is what I’ve seen in life so therefore I try to make every one real. I have been carving since I was 5 years old. I am very grateful for my talent and for those whose heart my Kachinas have
touched.”
AWARDS/EXHIBITIONS:
… Heard Museum, Phoenix, Arizona
… Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Bristol, Rhode Island
… Intertribal Ceremonial, Gallup New Mexico
PUBLICATIONS:
… The Hopi Approach to the art of Kachina Doll Carving, Eric Bromberg
… Hopi Katsina 1600 Artist Biographies, Gregory Schaaf
