Grace Medicine Flower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Grace Medicine Flower
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| Born |
Grace Tafoya
December 13, 1938 Santa Clara Pueblo
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| Known for | Pottery |
| Movement | Art of the American Southwest Santa Clara Pottery |
| Spouse(s) | John C. Hoover |
Grace Medicine Flower is a famous Native American artist. She is known for making beautiful pottery. Her pots are often small and have amazing carved designs. She uses special red and black clay for her artwork.
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Grace Medicine Flower's Early Life
Grace Medicine Flower was born in 1938. Her home was the Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. She comes from the well-known Tafoya family. This family has many talented potters. Grace is also the niece of Margaret Tafoya, another famous potter.
From 1968 to 1972, Grace worked with her father, Camilio Tafoya. They made pots together. These special pots have both of their names signed on them.
What Inspires Her Art?
Grace Medicine Flower's pottery shows the spiritual beliefs of her ancestors. She often carves birds, wild animals, and flowers. These designs connect her art to nature and her heritage.
How Grace Medicine Flower Makes Pottery
Grace Medicine Flower creates her pottery from local clay. She digs this clay herself at Santa Clara Pueblo. First, she dries the clay in the sun. Then, she fires her finished pots outside.
She uses a knife or a nail to carve her designs. This carving style is called sgraffito. It means scratching away parts of the surface. This creates a cool layered look. Grace started by making very small pots. Now, she also creates larger bowls and jars.
Awards for Her Work
Grace Medicine Flower's pottery has won many awards. She has received honors at the Gallup Inter-Tribal Ceremonials. This is a big event where Native American artists show their work.
