Hopi Deer Kachina Mask by Gregory Lomayesva, 2001 — Painted Wood, Antler & Feathers

Artist: Gregory Lomayesva (Hopi, b. 1971)
Date: 2001
Materials: Carved and painted wood, feathers, natural antler
Signature: Signed and dated “Lomayesva ’01” verso
Provenance: Exhibited representation through Blue Rain Gallery (Santa Fe & Aspen) and Chiaroscuro Gallery (Santa Fe)
Size: Overall: 27" x 30" x 13½"
Weight: 18½ lbs
Display: Suitable for wall mounting or shelf display

A commanding and spiritually resonant Hopi Deer Kachina mask by contemporary artist Gregory Lomayesva, dated 2001.
Carved from solid wood and adorned with natural three-point antlers and a vibrant cascade of feathers, this monumental sculpture radiates both energy and reverence. Painted in luminous planes of ochre, green, red, and black, the mask’s stepped borders and stylized features echo the ceremonial geometry of Hopi-Tewa art while revealing Lomayesva’s distinct modern sensibility and painter’s hand.

In Hopi cosmology, the Deer Kachina (Sowi-ing) embodies gentleness, endurance, and balance—the living spirit of reciprocity between humankind and the natural world. When it dances, it is a prayer for renewal, rain, fertility, and harmony. Its antlers reach toward the heavens, invoking growth and continuity; its feathers shimmer as the breath of life itself. In this sculpture, Lomayesva reinterprets that sacred presence through a contemporary lens—transforming ancient meaning into living art.

Designed for wall or shelf display, the mask projects with sculptural confidence and a sense of watchful vitality. It feels simultaneously ancestral and modern—imbued with motion, purpose, and spirit. This 2001 example stands as a testament to Lomayesva’s gift for bridging heritage and innovation, crafting works that invite both contemplation and awe.

Artist Biography

Gregory Lomayesva (Hopi, b. 1971) is a multidisciplinary artist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, whose work explores the intersection of Hopi tradition and contemporary form. The son of artists William “Bill” Lomayesva (Hopi carver and jeweler) and Maria Romero Cash (Hispanic santera and painter), he grew up immersed in artistic practice that unites the spiritual and the material.

Working across painting, carving, and mixed media, Lomayesva transforms Hopi ceremonial motifs into vivid, modern expressions of identity and spirit. His work has been represented by Blue Rain Gallery (Santa Fe & Aspen), Chiaroscuro Gallery (Santa Fe), and Windsor Betts Art Brokerage, and is held in major private and institutional collections. Collectors prize his pieces for their luminous presence—artworks that feel alive, bridging the ancestral and the immediate, tradition and imagination.

Condition

Good overall condition with light surface dust and shelf wear consistent with age and prior display. Structurally sound, with strong color and excellent visual presence.