In the Beginning

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© Al H. Qöyawayma. Image courtesy of the Ruth and Elmer Museum of Art at Hamilton College, Clin…
In the Beginning
© Al H. Qöyawayma. Image courtesy of the Ruth and Elmer Museum of Art at Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. Photo by John Bentham. For educational purposes only.
Artist/Maker (Hopi, born 1938)
Date1995
MediumTerracotta
DimensionsOverall: 4 3/8 × 6 1/4 × 10 3/16 in. (11.1 × 15.9 × 25.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of Juli and Gil Towell, Class of 1950, P1983
Object number2018.3.7
On view
DescriptionThe mystery and timeless beginnings of the Hopi are represented by the impression of the ammonite fossil in this vessel and the "spiral outward to our dwelling place given to us by the Creator." The ammonite fossil used was purchased by the artist at Lake Louise in Canada. The artist has indicated that "the concept of this piece is a "timelessness," using the ammonite's logarithmic or Fibonacci spiral circles outward to encompass the hint of our early origins in the prehistoric structures. The doorway is a marker of our entrance and exits from experiences in life. The form and shape of the piece is to project peace and the serene nature of the Southwest. There is a delicate balancing of the piece to add a graceful nature to the profile."

Additional Details

Provenance 2018: Hamilton College (Ruth and Elmer Wellin Museum of Art), by gift of Juli Towell;
1998 - 2018: Juli Towell, by purchase from Adobe East.
Markings No markings noted.
Signature Signed "Qöyawayma / [fish symbol] Q22H" incised in pot bottom.
Inscribed "© 1996" incised in pot bottom.
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