Sara Fina Tafoya

Sara Fina Gutiérrez Tafoya
Autumn Leaf
Sara Fina Tafoya around 1900
Died1949(1949-00-00) (aged 85–86)
New Mexico, US
NationalityTewa, Santa Clara Pueblo, American
Spouse(s)José Geronimo Tafoya, "White Flower"[1]
MotherFilomena Cajete Gutiérrez[1]

Sara Fina Gutiérrez Tafoya (1863-1949)[1][2] (sometimes spelled Serefina Tafoya and Serafina Tafoya) was a Tewa matriarch potter from Kha'po Owingeh (in Tewa: [xɑ̀ʔp’òː ʔówîŋgè]), New Mexico.

Tafoya is known for her minimally-adorned blackware and black-on-black ware, frequently marked with the imprint of a bear claw motif.[3] She has been referred to as "undoubtedly the outstanding Tewa potter of her time."[4] The Tafoya family lineage of Puebloan potters "goes as far back as records exist."[5] Tafoya's work consisted primarily of large-scale vessels that were marked with concave and convex impressions and carved designs.[6][7]

Personal life

Tafoya married Geronimo Tafoya with whom she had eight children.[6] Many of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family became well-known potters including Margaret Tafoya, LuAnn Tafoya, Tammy Garcia, Nathan Youngblood and others.[4]

Collections

Her work is included in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago,[2] the Denver Art Museum,[8] the Mount Hoyoke College Art Museum,[9] the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,[10] among other private and public collections.

  • Wedding vase by Sara Fina Tafoya
    Wedding vase by Sara Fina Tafoya
  • Sara Fina Tafoya, Water Jar, c.1890-1900
    Sara Fina Tafoya, Water Jar, c.1890-1900
  • Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900
    Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900
  • Geronimo and Sara Fina Tafoya c. 1900
    Geronimo and Sara Fina Tafoya c. 1900

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Blair, Mary Ellen; Blair, Laurence (1986). Margaret Tafoya: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-080-9.
  2. ^ a b "Sara Fina Tafoya". Art Institute of Chicago. 1863. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. ^ McLister, Iris (18 August 2017). "Immortal coils: 'Spoken Through Clay' celebrates Native pottery". Pasatiempo. Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. ^ a b Martin, Douglas (5 March 2001). "Margaret Tafoya, 96, Pueblo Potter Whose Work Found a Global Audience". The New York Times. pp. B.6. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. ^ "National Heritage Fellowships - Margaret Tafoya". National Endowment for the Arts. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Kin and Kiln: Tafoya Black-on-Black Ware". Bowers Museum. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. ^ King, Charles S. (10 August 2019). "Signed, 'Serafina': The Signed Pottery of SaraFina Tafoya". King Galleries. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. ^ "Jar, about 1900 - Artist: Sara Fina Tafoya". Denver Art Museum. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. ^ "Double Shoulder Jar". Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  10. ^ "Serafina Tafoya". Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.