Hopi-Tewa Reservation
Dawn Navasie, “Polaquimana” (Red Tail
Hawk), member of the Water Clan, was born into the Hopi-Tewa Reservation
in 1961.
She was inspired to continue the family tradition of pottery making
from her extremely famous Mother, the late Eunice “Fawn”
Navasie. Fawn taught Dawn all the fundamentals of making traditional
Hopi pottery at the age of 4.
Dawn would assist her mother with her pottery and thus inspired her
to learn. Dawn began perfecting her pottery making skills at the age
of 17.
Dawn specializes in handmade traditional Hopi style pottery. She prefers
making the larger ollas (larger pots) because they have more room to
paint her favorite designs of mythical rainbirds and rain clouds.
She also paints moths, weather symbols, and elements of the earth. Natural
minerals and vegetables like wild bee plant, hematite, and red clay
are used for coloration. Firing is done in the traditional manner using
sheep dung as fuel.
Dawn is a superb artist in the Hopi-Tewa tradition. She paints with
a sure hand and has a design vision that recalls the beauty and quality
of her mother’s work (original Fawn).
Dawn signs her pottery as: Dawn Navasie, followed by a water symbol
to denote her clan origin.
Dawn is related to Dolly Joe “White Swann” Navasie (sister),
Eunice “Fawn” Navasie” (mother),
Darrell Navasie, and Gregory Navasie (brothers).and Fawn Garcia Navasie,
sister, formerly “Little Fawn.”
