Fully braced for a tortuous crush of humanity on the first day of Santa Fe Indian Market, August 2010 presented a lighter turnout than in previous years.
That said, the attendees were extremely intent on capturing art, pottery, jewelry, textiles and more from their favorite artists. By 10 am a few artists had sold out. A total of 1100 exhibitors were assembled.
It was an honor to meet the venerable Hopi jeweler, Lawrence Saufkie. He readily identified a fabulous overlay bracelet that he had made in the early 1950’s, as well as a silver overlay pendant that were part of the newly debuting Williams Collection. Let us know if you are interested in obtaining significant vintage American Indian jewlery assembled by Williams family members as early as the 1930’s until the 1990’s.
Roxanne Swentzell’s loveable face welcomed all who came to her booth. Her sculpture sold at a very swift pace, a testimony to her enormous talent.
The Museum of Contemporary Native Arts offered a positively enchanting sculpture by Rose Simpson, Roxanne’s up and coming daughter. You enter a small room, glancing over your shoulder at what looks like an overgrown terra cotta shape on the floor. After continuing to gain distance from this sculpture, you finally recognize a commanding human figure laying on its side. Other artists were exposed in this intimate smallish museum, all extremely individualistic and talented. Their works would rival those exhibiting in any contemporary art institution in the country.
Mark Winter’s glib and informative talk at the library beside the Wheelwright Museum on Museum Hill was memorable. You can’t help but be grateful that he has persevered to assemble important information about Two Grey Hills weavers of the 20th & 21st century. Reputedly Two Grey Hills weavings from Toadlena Trading Post were hurriedly purchased after Mark’s lecture.
Antonio Pineda’s exhibit at the Museum of International Folk Art was properly titled Silver Seduction. Vintage Mexican jewelry is hot, hot, hot! It was a privilege to meet Marc Navarro, a gentleman who has heralded this elegant material for roughly 40 years.
What did the art appraiser capture for her own edification? Tomorrow’s blog will reveal . . .
Corinne Cain www.SavvyCollector