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Part II: The Carvers
Birds, leaves, and axe head made of shell and turquoise by Kempsey Kushana Courtesy of Amerind Foundation, Dragoon, Arizona. Photo by Mark Bahti.
Other early (pre-World War II) carvers at Zuni include George Haloo Cheechee, Sr. and Alonzo Hustito. Mid-century carvers include Raymond Gasper, Mary Peina, Saul Yuselew (1913–2009), Morris Laahty5 (1924–1987), Neil Natewa Sr. (1935–2014), and Sepo Ponchuella6 (1881–1978). But it was David Tsikewa (1915–1971) who, beginning in the 1960s, was the first “contemporary” carver to be widely recognized and collected, winning prizes for his work in the
Bird, bear, and frog made of jet and serpentine by Saul Yuselew Courtesy of Amerind Foundation, Dragoon, Arizona. Photo by Mark Bahti.
5
Early documents record his first name variously as Maurice and Molestino.
6
Also spelled as Cepo.
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