O'powa o'meng: the art and legacy of Jody Folwell

Abstract

"For more than fifty years, Jody Folwell (Santa Clara Pueblo, b. 1942) has been continually experimenting with her pottery practice, testing new construction and firing techniques, creating original painted and incised designs, and using her clay vessels as locations for political and social commentary. Such acts were seen as radical by the Pueblo pottery world when she began making pots in the 1970's. Today, Folwell is considered by many to be a matriarch of Pueblo pottery innovation and her approaches to the genre are emulated by younger indigenous artists. Presented in conjuction with the first solo museum exhibition dedicated to Folwell's pottery, organized by the Fralin Museum of Art and the University of Virginia and the Minneapolis Institute of Art, this catalogue offers an in-depth look at the impetus behind Folwell's signature style, one of celebrating ancient Pueblo pottery traditions and simultaneously pushing artistic boundaries. Enriched with essays and personal reflections by her longtime artistic peers, friends, and family members, and illustrated with images of pottery examples spanning five decades, O'Powa O'Meng: the art and legacy of Jody Folwell also offers new insights into her work, her inspirations and motivations through the artist's own words." -- Back cover.

Contents

Directors' foreword / Karen E. Milbourne ; Katherine Crawford Luber -- Acknowledgments / Jill Ahlberg Yohe ; Bruce Bernstein ; Adriana Greci Green -- Introduction: O'Powa O'Meng / Jill Ahlberg Yohe ; Bruce Bernstein ; Adriana Greci Green -- Essays. Jody: my sister, my friend / Tessie Naranjo -- A potter's journey / Bruce Bernstein -- Half-steps and heroes: Jody Folwell's new avant-garde / Jill Ahlberg Yohe -- Works in the exhibition / with extended captions by Jill Ahlberg Yohe ; Bruce Bernstein ; Kevin Coochwytewa ; Jody Folwell ; Adriana Greci Green ; Les Namingha ; Diego Romero ; Bird Runningwater ; Roxanne Swentzell -- Reflections. Aunt Judy / Eliza Naranjo Morse -- Jody Folwell / Rose B. Simpson -- Thoughts on Jody / Lonnie Vigil -- Blazing the trail / Cara Romero -- And the lady just does it like nothing / Kaa Folwell -- Aunt Judy / Roxanne Swentzell -- Exhibition curators.