Sara Fina Tafoya
Sara Fina Gutiérrez Tafoya (1863-1949)[2] (sometimes spelled Serafina Tafoya) was a Tewa matriarch potter from Kha'po Owingeh (in Tewa: [xɑ̀ʔp’òː ʔówîŋgè]), New Mexico.
Sara Fina Gutiérrez Tafoya | |
|---|---|
| Autumn Leaf | |
 Sara Fina Tafoya around 1900 | |
| Died | 1949 (aged 85–86) New Mexico |
| Nationality | Tewa, Santa Clara Pueblo, American |
| Spouse(s) | José Geronimo Tafoya, "White Flower"[1] |
| Parent(s) |
|
Tafoya is known for her minimally-adorned blackware and black-on-black ware, frequently marked with the imprint of a bear claw motif.[3] She has been referred to as "undoubtedly the outstanding Tewa potter of her time."[4] The Tafoya family lineage of Puebloan potters "goes as far back as records exist."[5] Tafoya's work consisted primarily of large-scale vessels that were marked with concave and convex impressions and carved designs.[6]
Personal life
Tafoya married Geronimo Tafoya with whom she had eight children.[6] Many of her children, grand-children, great-grand children and extended family became well-known potters including Margaret Tafoya, LuAnn Tafoya, Tammy Garcia, Nathan Youngblood and others.[4]
Collections
Her work is included in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago,[2] the Denver Art Museum,[7] the Mount Hoyoke College Art Museum,[8] the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,[9] among other private and public collections.
Gallery
Wedding vase by Sara Fina Tafoya
Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900_with_her_husband_Geronimo_c._1900.jpg.webp)
Geronimo and Sara Fina Tafoya c. 1900
References
- Blair, Mary Ellen; Blair, Laurence (1986). Margaret Tafoya: A Tewa Potter's Heritage and Legacy. West Chester, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing. ISBN 0-88740-080-9.
- "Sara Fina Tafoya". Art Institute of Chicago. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- McLister, Iris (18 August 2017). "Immortal coils: "Spoken Through Clay" celebrates Native pottery". Santa Fe New Mexican. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- Martin, Douglas (5 March 2001). "Margaret Tafoya, 96, Pueblo Potter Whose Work Found a Global Audience". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "Margaret Tafoya". National Endowment for the Arts. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "Kin and Kiln: Tafoya Black-on-Black Ware". Bowers Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "Jar, Sara Fina Tafoya". Denver Art Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "Double Shoulder Jar". Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- "Serafina Tafoya". Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Retrieved 22 May 2021.