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You are here: Home / Archives for art

art

Hopi Artist Uses Art to Heal Other Veterans

June 23, 2021 By quadcities 1 Comment

Former Army serviceman Fil Kewanyama strives to create peace on canvas and in life.

Prescott artist and U.S. Army Veteran Filmer “Fil” Kewanyama draws on the ceremonies and symbolism of his Hopi heritage to portray the ancient spiritualism guiding his people.

“The majority of my work depicts and chronicles the Hopi way of life,” Kewanyama said. “What I feel and know is very important and sacred to me. One meaning of the word Hopi is ‘peaceful.’  We are encouraged to live good lives by being at peace with ourselves and everything around us.”

Through his paintings, digital art, oil-based clay sculpture, pencil sketches and other art forms, Kewanyama illustrates that journey of peace in growing up between two cultures: American and Hopi.

Artistically expressing himself as Yoimasa – one of the many Hopi names given him by his father’s Water Clan – Kewanyama described how a child is born into the Hopi matriarchy. The name Yoimasa translates to “when the rains are coming, you look into the horizon and see rain clouds as they are flying towards us.” A Hopi life consists of many ceremonies and initiations.

“Everything that I create is about how we Hopi are living today,” Kewanyama explained. “All the ceremonies have been passed down by our ancestors and we are still living that today in the modern world of going to school, working a job and paying our bills.”

The 2010 U.S. Census reports 15,000 Hopi live on and off the Hopi Reservation, encompassing 32 clans and 12 villages across 1.5 million acres in Navajo and Coconino counties. Tradition holds that the clans ascended from the Grand Canyon. Their kivas (ritual chambers) echo that origin, built below ground and accessed from above via ladders.

“My artistic influences come from what I know of Hopi history and my own personal interpretations of that history, fueled by my own personal feelings,” Kewanyama said. “As a child growing up on Hopi Land, I learned through our initiations the ceremonies that our ancestors passed on to us.”

Now working from a studio in the Sixth Street Business Park, he welcomes private showings by appointment. His paintings and sketches colorfully and elegantly adorn the walls and delicate oil-based clay sculptures rest atop furnishings in the studio/apartment. A two-room gallery also highlights his work and that of his girlfriend, artist MaryHelen Ewing.

Kewanyama says he came to Prescott in 2004 to be treated by the Veterans Administration (VA) for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). “The VA here is one of the best in the country. They really worked with me and healed me.”

After 21 years of military service and retiring as a First Sergeant, Kewanyama earned an associate’s degree in graphic design with a fine art emphasis from Yavapai College in 2010.

“My art is very therapeutic and it helped me on my healing journey,” he said. “It has given me a lot of healing – physically, spiritually and emotionally. I share creative art healing with other veterans at the VA. It helps us to heal ourselves from whatever has affected us with service.”

Kewanyama’s work is displayed around the globe in private homes, galleries and museums. Two commissioned murals brighten Prescott’s Museum of Indigenous People.

He currently is showing several pieces in the “Under Native Skies” exhibition through July 25 at The Phippen Museum. A four-time national award-winner in the VA’s annual arts competition, he most recently was awarded first place for his painting symbolically honoring Hopi Code Talkers. That creation is on display at The Phippen.

A 10-year board member of the ‘Tis Art Center and Gallery in Prescott, Kewanyama curates an annual show featuring Native American artists.

Often a katsina will be included in Kewanyama’s art. The katsinam (plural) are benevolent spirits who return each year from January through July to guide the Hopi in spirituality and survival. It was the katsinam, he says, who taught Hopi people to harness the elements for dry farming in ancient times.

“Katsinam dance in the plaza and the kiva, and we give them offerings and prayers,” Kewanyama said. “We depend on the earth to nourish our plants, and pray for water to fall on us and feed us, not just for the Hopi people, but for every living thing. A lot of what I paint has to do with that. Most of my paintings include rain clouds, the sun, the power of the universe, lightning, water, animals and people. It all comes together to symbolize the universe and everything that surrounds it.”

Each of his creations tells a story. “People have a better connection to the painting when they know the story. I grow spiritually and professionally as an artist by sharing my Hopi lineage with others, so that they know who my people are.” QCBN

By Sue Marceau, QCBN

Filed Under: Business Tagged With: ancient spiritualism, art, artist, Fil Kewanyama, Filmer Kewanyama, Hopi, Hopi lineage, Hopi Reservation, Hopi Veteran, paint, painter, painting, peace, Prescott artist, rain clouds, Sixth Street Business Park, U.S. Army Veteran, veteran, Water Clan, Yoimasa

Nebeker Selected to Sculpt Bronze Statue Honoring Fallen Officers

August 30, 2020 By quadcities 1 Comment

One of America’s most renowned Western artists, Bill Nebeker, was selected to create a bronze sculpture as a memorial to officers who have lost their lives in service of citizens of Yavapai County.

Nebeker’s selection was announced by the Yavapai Law Enforcement Memorial Committee (YLEMC), chaired by Sheriff Scott Mascher. Nebeker, a lifelong resident of Prescott, said he was humbled and honored beyond his ability to express.

Recognized as one of the nation’s most prominent sculptors of cowboys and horses, Nebeker has been president four times of the prestigious Cowboy Artists of America.

Nebeker was not always famous. He and his wife, Merry, scratched out a modest living in the 1960s and early ‘70s, working at a foundry in Skull Valley created by the late Western artist, George Phippen.

It was not until 1974, when he sculpted a small statue of legendary Western actor John Wayne, that he achieved more than regional recognition. He fashioned the sculpture after an image he had of Wayne from the award-winning movie “The Searchers.” Wayne heard about it, contacted Nebeker and invited him to meet him in Stanfield, a small town near Casa Grande, where Wayne owned a ranch. The Nebekers drove down in their pickup truck.

“We sat on the tailgate and talked to Wayne,” said Nebeker. “He ended up buying a couple of my bronzes. Before long, a lot of Hollywood people knew about me.” His works started selling.

Nebeker credits Merry, his wife of 55 years, with being his main supporter and cheerleader during the lean years when he struggled to make a professional career of Western art. Now, his works are showcased in major museums throughout the United States. Private collectors also have his work. Several European galleries and museums display his art.

On Aug. 9, Nebeker’s largest sculpture ever, “If Horses Could Talk,” was mounted on a roundabout at Deep Well Ranch and Crystal Lane on SR 89 going north out of Prescott. The artwork shows a cowboy peering through binoculars to find a deer while his horse is looking downward under a rock ledge where a buck has hidden.

Remembering Law Officers

His newest sculpture, “Lest We Forget,” will memorialize the estimated 18 Yavapai County law officers who have died in the line of duty since the founding of Arizona Territory.

The memorial features an officer of the 1880s-1900 territorial era portrayed in Western style – a gun belt and holster with historic depictions of a pistol and bullets, wearing old-fashioned trousers tucked into high-topped leather boots. Hat in hand, he’ll look down in honor toward an empty pair of boots signifying fallen officers.

The life-size statue will be mounted on a granite boulder approximately three feet by four feet wide and deep. A smaller boulder in front will be inscribed with names of fallen officers and display a pair of empty old-time boots with spurs on them.

When finished, the sculpture will be located on the Courthouse Plaza in a triangular-shaped raised area near the corner of Montezuma and Gurley Streets. It will be highly visible to thousands of residents and visitors who explore Arizona’s first territorial capital and seat of government.

Nebeker spoke about the memorial’s significance to him. “Several lifelong friends and Prescott High School classmates have been policemen, sheriffs, DPS officers and U.S. marshals. In fact, several of their children now are serving our community, county and state. To create something to honor law enforcement officers is a great opportunity. To have it on the Courthouse Plaza in the town where I grew up and near the famous Bucky O’Neill statue is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Prescott Chief of Police Debora Black commented about the choice of Nebeker to create the memorial: “A memorial dedicated to honor law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice will be a fitting addition to our already beautiful County Courthouse Square. It will allow everyone to pay homage to our fallen heroes. Bill Nebeker grew up in our Prescott tradition. His work embodies the legacy of our Western heritage. I can’t think of anyone better suited to create a memorial reflecting the valuable role peace officers play in our community.”

“This statue at the Courthouse Plaza will remind us all that freedom and peace [are] not free,” said Yavapai County Board of Supervisors Chair Craig Brown.

Nebeker said he hopes to have the memorial completed by January. It currently is being cast by the Prescott Valley foundry Bronzesmith.

No taxpayer dollars are being spent to construct the memorial, YLEMC committee members said. Instead, a fundraising campaign fund has been established for those who wish to contribute.

Best advice I ever received:

Be honest. A man’s word is his bond.

Favorite celebrity to hang out with:

John Wayne, but he’s gone. Now, probably Sam Elliott, with that gravelly deep voice that fits so many of his Western movie characters.

Favorite meal:

No doubt about that. A couple of eggs, over medium, easy, sausage and hashbrowns – every morning of the week.

Best place to vacation:

Big Island, Hawaii, up north where all the cattle ranches are.

Advise for a long, successful marriage:

Lots of hugging and kissing and dancing. And never go to bed at night angry.

Best character quality to pass along to my children:

For more information, visit billnebeker.com

By Ray Newton

Filed Under: Community Profile, Spotlight Tagged With: art, Bill Nebeker, community profile, Prescott Valley foundry Bronzesmith, Sculpture

Local Artist Takes Top Honors/Twice At Debut Exhibit

March 24, 2016 By quadcities Leave a Comment

Boskoff artAfter a life time commitment of creating fine art, local artist Ken Boskoff finally decided to go professional for the first time by submitting his artwork for a juried exhibit with the Prescott Center For the Arts. Competing with a number of local artists to be featured in the “Shape of Things” exhibit, Boskoff’s work was not only selected, but earned “Best of Show” honors. The current Prescott Center For the Arts exhibit runs now through March 25th. The art center is located at 208 N. Marina Street in Prescott.

On Friday, February 26, at the official launch event for the exhibit, and in conjunction with Prescott’s 4th Friday Art Walk, Boskoff was honored again when he won the “People’s Choice Award” (attendees voting for their favorite art). The specific piece that won is named Cosmic Candy.

“I am surprised and honored to have these awards bestowed upon me, especially since this is my first outing, the initial release of my work to the public” remarked Boskoff.

Last year, Boskoff made the decision to commercialize his art and recently contacted galleries to introduce his work. He markets his art under the brand name Bozko.

A Prescott resident, he spent most of his life in Maui, Hawaii. At the age of 19, he put his goals to be a professional artist on hold in order to support his family and entered the construction industry. Over the years, he became a licensed contractor building customer homes on the island, including multi-million dollar oceanfront homes as well as several homes in American Ranch after moving to Prescott. While living in Hawaii, he began surfing at the age of seven and sailing when he turned 10. He now is dedicating fulltime to pursue his primary love, that of being a professional artist.

Boskoff refers to his art style as modern psychedelic, influenced by his connection to island/ocean life and Eastern philosophy. “Island time is the heart and soul of island life and that is evident in my work” said Boskoff. Working with mixed mediums on canvas, his abstract work is bold and energetic, featuring vibrant colors, and in some cases, added elements or texture to his work to make it dimensional. Many of his pieces are large in size, some as big as 5 feet by 8 feet. His first piece painting was completed over 50 years ago in high school. It was so well received, his artwork was displayed in the school cafeteria for a full year.

He currently is pursuing a business model transforming his art (art for everyday living) into a beachwear clothing line, including swim wear, beach towels and sarongs (swim wraps), as well as high-end t-shirts, tote bags, surf boards and even home decor fabrics – all with a focus on organic cotton, bamboo and hemp, materials grown from the earth in a regenerative way.

Because of his love for ocean and sea life, he will donate 10% of sales to the Ocean Conservancy, one of the most prominent and oldest non-profit organizations dedicated to preserving ocean life by creating preserves and banning the commercial fishing of endangered sea life.

Boskoff will also be the featured artist at the Prescott Center For the Arts this spring. For more information about Ken Boskoff or to view the Bozko Art portfolio, visit bozkoart.com.

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: art, Boskoff, cosmic candy

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