All Kiva Artists
Kiva Fine Art
El Centro de Santa Fe
102 East Water Street
Santa Fe, NM 87501505-820-7413
505-820-7414 (fax)
info@kivaindianart.com
Ernest Selina
Ernest Selina is a young Hopi woodcarver who, rather than making Kachina dolls as other members of his family have done, transforms wood into various shapes which he then wood-burns and paints. Although the form has changed from traditional dolls to bowls or stand-up forms in this innovative art, the carvings still carry spiritual meanings of the Hopi culture. "Kachinas are representations of our gods. We pray to them and believe in them. The kachinas keep our families together." Growing up with the wisdom of tribal elders, traditional ceremonies, songs for rain and boyhood competitions are among Ernest's fond memories of reservation life. He was featured in Southwest Art's August 2001 issue as an emerging artist to watch.