Sara Fina Tafoya

Sara Fina Gutiérrez Tafoya (1863-1949)[1][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
Died1949(1949-00-00) (aged 85–86)
New Mexico, US
NationalityTewa, Santa Clara Pueblo, American
Spouse(s)José Geronimo Tafoya, "White Flower"[1]
Parent
  • Filomena Cajete Gutiérrez[1] (mother)

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][7]

Personal life

Tafoya married Geronimo Tafoya with whom she had eight children.[6] Many of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren 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,[8] the Mount Hoyoke College Art Museum,[9] the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art,[10] among other private and public collections.

  • Wedding vase by Sara Fina Tafoya
    Wedding vase by Sara Fina Tafoya
  • Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900
    Sara Fina Tafoya firing blackware pottery at Santa Clara Pueblo, c. 1900
  • Geronimo and Sara Fina Tafoya c. 1900
    Geronimo and Sara Fina Tafoya c. 1900

See also

References
  1. 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.
  2. "Sara Fina Tafoya". Art Institute of Chicago. 1863. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  3. McLister, Iris (18 August 2017). "Immortal coils: 'Spoken Through Clay' celebrates Native pottery". Pasatiempo. Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  4. Martin, Douglas (5 March 2001). "Margaret Tafoya, 96, Pueblo Potter Whose Work Found a Global Audience". The New York Times. pp. B.6. Archived from the original on 15 August 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  5. "National Heritage Fellowships - Margaret Tafoya". National Endowment for the Arts. Archived from the original on 20 October 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  6. "Kin and Kiln: Tafoya Black-on-Black Ware". Bowers Museum. 5 November 2020. Archived from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  7. King, Charles S. (10 August 2019). "Signed, 'Serafina': The Signed Pottery of SaraFina Tafoya". King Galleries. Archived from the original on 13 January 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2023.
  8. "Jar, about 1900 - Artist: Sara Fina Tafoya". Denver Art Museum. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  9. "Double Shoulder Jar". Mount Holyoke College Art Museum. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original on 12 August 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
  10. "Serafina Tafoya". Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. Archived from the original on 22 May 2021. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
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