Born on the Navajo reservation in 1960, Ida Sahmie was taught to weave rugs by her mother and grandmother.
After marrying Andrew Sahmie, a Hopi man, and watching her in-laws make pottery, she too, began working in clay. Andrew is the great-grandson of Nampeyo, a name synonymous with Hopi pottery.
Ida learned to work with the clay in the Hopi manner and style, but makes it uniquely her own by incorporating Navajo motifs, particularly Yeis, or Holy People, into the slip-painted designs.
Cultures
American Indian, Navajo, Women Artists
Medium
Pottery
Subject
American Indians
Keywords
Ida Sahmie, Sahmie pottery, Sahmie olla, Navajo pottery, Ceremonial Yei Dancers' Procession on Graceful Tan Jar