Faye Tso (1933–2004) was a Navajo potter and herbal medicine healer.[1] Her pieces are known for their nontraditional imagery of corn maidens, warriors, and dancers, whereas Navajo pottery typically has little decoration.[2] Born in Coal Mine Mesa, Arizona, Tso was relocated with other Navajos to Tuba City, Arizona in 1974 because of a land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi tribes.[3] She returned to dig her clay at Coal Mine Mesa, where she also gathered pinon from which she extracted the pitch resin used to coat and seal her Dineh pottery.[1] In 1990, the Arizona Indian Living Treasures Association designated Tso as a living treasure.[4][5] Her husband and son are medicine men and use Tso's pots in their ceremonies.[2][6]
Faye Tso | |
|---|---|
 Faye Tso, c. 1990 | |
| Born | 1933 Coal Mine Mesa, Arizona |
| Died | 2004 (aged 70–71) |
| Nationality | Navajo |
| Known for | Ceramics, herbal medicine |
Noted works edit
Tso's works have sold for over $1,000,[7] and several of her pieces are held in the Smithsonian American Art Museum:
- Head of Emmett, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.175[8]
- Bean Pot with Incised Corn Maiden Figures, 1987, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.176[9]
- Pot with Dancers with Headdresses and Rattles, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.177[10]
- Pot with Figurative Decoration, c. 1992, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.178[11]
References edit
- ^ a b Halberstadt, Carol Snyder. "Faye Tso, Coal Mine Mesa Community (1934-2004)". Retrieved 2 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Faye Tso". Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
- ^ Pasztor, David (12 Aug 1992). "Frozen in time the 20-year war between Navajos and Hopis over homelands leaves them cold". Phoenix New Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2014.
- ^ "AILTA Living Treasures | Arizona Indian Living Treasures Awards". Arizona Indian Living Treasures Awards. 2018-09-03. Archived from the original on 3 September 2018.
- ^ Norrell, Brenda (11 October 2000). "Yavapai-Apache Nation honors Arizona Indian Living Treasures". Indian Country Today. pp. C1.
- ^ Rosenak, Chuck; Rosenak, Jan (1994). The people speak : Navajo folk art (1st ed.). Flagstaff, Ariz.: Northland Pub. ISBN 0873585658.
- ^ "Tso, Faye (1933-2004)". King Galleries. Retrieved 2022-04-12.
- ^ "Head of Emmett". Smithsonian American Art Museum Collections Search. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ "Bean Pot with Incised Corn Maiden Figures". Smithsonian American Art Museum Collections Search. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ "Pot with Dancers with Headdresses and Rattles". Smithsonian American Art Museum Collections Search. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2013-03-29.
- ^ "Pot with Figurative Decoration". Smithsonian American Art Museum Collections Search. Smithsonian American Art Museum. Retrieved 2015-12-20.