Shalako

Raymond Naha

About The Shalako

The shalako, towering over the other katcinas, represents the cloud people. Having seen over fifty paintings by Raymond Naha, this example easily ranks amongst the best of his paintings. Skillfully the figures are rendered with elegance and empathy for this a spectacular ceremonial scene.

About Raymond Naha

(1933-1974, Hopi) Naha's chief medium was casein, although he did produce works in oils, pastels, inks and acrylics. His favorite subjects were Hopi and Zuni kachinas and ceremonies. He often used black or dark paper as his brush tended to be on the dark side.

Since Naha painted in perfect detail, his paintings present a beautiful study of the masks, costumes, jewelry, body paint and paraphernalia of the dancers. As his compositions ranged from loose and scattered arrangements to tight, closed lines of dancers; it is difficult to ascribe a chronological sequence to his works. There is often humor in Naha's art as illustrated in a painting of tumbling dancers whose moccasin soles show holes in them.

Among the awards he received were: First award at the Philbrook Show on two occasions; Indian Arts Fund Award in Santa Fe; Bimson Grand Award at the Scottsdale National and First awards at different Gallup Ceremonials. He is cited in The Biographical Directory of Native American Painters by Patrick D. Lester, The St. James Guide to Native North American Artists, American Indian Painting by Dorothy Dunn and Southwest Indian Painting by Clara Lee Tanner.

Other Works By Raymond Naha:

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Cultures

American Indian, Hopi

Medium

Paintings

Subject

Dance, Religious, Male, American Indians

Keywords

Ray Naha, Raymond Naha