K642 The Punisher Kachina
The Punisher Kachina, “The One with the Leather Whip”, or Koras Wuvapitaka Kachina. This is a very rare and unusual kachina by Hopi carver Roy Talaheftewa. The kachina is 15” tall and carved from a single cottonwood root in the traditional Hopi manner.
Herb Talahaftewa was born in 1954 and is a member of the Corn Clan. He has been active carving since 1965 and is known for his detailed, one-piece carvings. His work is in the permanent collection of the Heard Museum.
About the Carver:
Herb Talahaftewa was born March 29, 1954 at Winslow, Arizona. He is a member of the Corn Clan. Herb has been active carving since 1965.
Herb is the great-grandson of Zola & Marshal Kewanvoyouma; great-grandson of Clark Ruben Talahaftewa; (P) grandson of Herbert Talahaftewa, (the elder, textile weaver, and silversmith) and Evangeline Talahaftewa (basket weaver) and son of Lena Talahaftewa. He was named after his grandfather, Herbert Talaheftewa, who was a famous traditional doctor, herbalist, weaver and silversmith.
Carving is a relaxing experience for Herb who specializes in detailed one piece carvings. “Honestly, it keeps me sane.”
Because his kachinas are carved “the old way” (one piece), his work is a favorite of collectors.
He currently resides at Second Mesa on the Hopi Reservation. His work is in the permanent collection of the Heard Museum. He specializes in highly realistic one-piece carvings.
Awards:
1972, Scottsdale Nationals, Scottsdale, AZ; Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, Gallup, NM;
Exhibitions:
1971, Hopi Show, Museum of Northern Arizona, Flagstaff, AZ; Inter-tribal Indian Ceremonial, Gallup, NM;
1995, “Following the Sun and the Moon”, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
2006, Katsina Marketplace, Heard Museum, Phoenix, AZ
