Richard Lomahinma Dawavendewa Hopi Artist
The 2023 Bluff Arts Festival is honored to showcase Richard’s incredible work. This year’s featured image is entitled Rain Storm and is described by Richard as follows:
“The Hopi people live in a high desert environment and when we have ceremonies, we always pray for rain, for prosperity of all life. The Kachinum are spirit beings who bring rain upon the land, who are through of as rain clouds watching over the people of the land. The particular kachina is called Long Hair Kachina, as the long hair represents the falling rain.”
About the Artist Biography
Richard Lomahinma Dawavendewa: Printmaker, Bookbinder
The above is the birth name given to Richard by his paternal aunts of the Sun Forehead clan. Richard’s own clan is Pikyaswungwa: Side Corn clan, from the village of Moenkopi, AZ. His clan is acknowledged by his signature design: a corn stalk surrounded by clouds.
I started participating in art shows in 1985, a year after high school graduation. There was a time that I called myself a Professional Artist; exhibiting in major venues: Santa Fe Indian Market, Heard Museum, Museum of Northern AZ, etc, won numerous awards as well as being a poster artist for shows, had my art published in a variety of formats and overall making a name for myself. I stopped doing shows over 10 years to concentrate on my art career of being a High School Art Teacher.
Working primarily in printmaking forms of linoleum relief and serigraphy, I strive to convey my inner artist mind and heart as it relates to my Hopi tribal culture. I also incorporate bookbinding with my print media to create artists books for an inclusive dynamic mix of the two art forms.
My goals as an artist are to first create out of love for both media; the second is to share my artwork with the world around me. As the world is ever changing, so too is my art; I don’t stay with one defining art style or influence. But my art is always grounded upon my cultural roots and that is always the premise of my work.
I have been drawing since a child, copying images out of comic books; to this day, Batman is my favorite.
Participating in art shows since 1985, I have developed over time through self-teaching and formal education. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Art Education in 1998, Bachelor of Fine Arts (Printmaking emphasis) in 1999 and decided to pursue a Masters in Fine Arts (Printmaking emphasis). Completing in 2003, I have been a teacher, a mentor, and hopefully, an inspiration to many. 14 years of High School Teaching, 2 years of Elementary teaching and a Professional Artist, showing at Art Shows, winning awards and recognition for my artwork.
“Although I have received awards for my work, I do not show my work to win, I show so that people can see, appreciate and understand my inner feelings as it pertains to my inner person as a Hopi.”
Father of 7 with 7 grandchildren to date, farming the traditional lands, participating in traditional ceremonies, still creating art and living in my own art world.
Facebook & Instagram: Lomahinma Fine Art