Artist:

Helen Cordero, born Cochiti Pueblo, NM 1915-died 1994  Search this

Medium:

fired clay, with slip and beeweed

Dimensions:

10 x 5 5/8 x 7 1/4 in. (25.4 x 14.3 x 18.4 cm)

Type:

Decorative Arts-Ceramic

Folk Art

Date:

ca. 1984

Luce Center Label:

Helen Cordero’s figures always have closed eyes and open mouths, as if they are singing traditional Cochiti songs. She carved small figures of children climbing around the storytellers, clinging to their clothing and listening intently to show the importance of passing down Cochiti customs to the next generation (Chuck and Jan Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990).

Luce Object Quote:

“His eyes are closed because he’s thinking; his mouth is open because he’s singing.” Helen Cordero, quoted in Chuck and Jan Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990

Topic:

Figure group\female and child  Search this

Performing arts\music\voice  Search this

Credit Line:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by John B. Turner

Object number:

1997.124.149

Restrictions & Rights:

Usage conditions apply

See more items in:

Smithsonian American Art Museum Collection

Department:

Decorative Arts

On View:

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor, 26B

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center

Smithsonian American Art Museum, Luce Foundation Center, 3rd Floor

Data Source:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

GUID:

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/vk7ae78683a-4b98-45c6-a2d0-99fbcff71478

EDAN-URL:

edanmdm:saam_1997.124.149