Sinom, The People with Lomayumtewa Ishii
August is upon us and the summer is moving on by. We have tended to our gardens and starting to reap the benefits of nurturing the earth. A main theme in this month’s exhibit, Sinom, The People by Lomayumtewa Ishii and his relationship to the earth and his roots in Hopi.
Kuwanwunu by Lomayumtewa Ishii
The exhibition name, Sinom, can be described as the word for People, in the Hopi tribal language. The works are inspired by the artist’s Hopi heritage, sharing his culture through the Arts. This influence is strong, universal and promotes everlasting hope, unity, and peaceful co-existence of all people. Each piece of work is unique, the use of lines and symmetrical symbolism are fine-tuned, colorful, flowing and is a base for creating one more nurturing everlasting imaginative dance for the audience.
We will be hosting a virtual art opening on Facebook Live, Friday, August 7th at 6pm PST. We hope you can join us. The Exhibition will be available to view in person during gallery hours, Thursday - Saturday 1-5pm, Sunday 1-4pm and by appointment at request. Sinom, The People is on display August 7 - August 30. We hope you get a chance to follow along and hear these stories through Lomayumtewa Ishii’s perspective.
Jill Sans took a few moments in to ask Lomayumtewa Ishii some questions about his work and this show. Here is Loma’s response.
How did you get into art?
Art has been part of my life growing up. Seeing my grandmother work on her pottery, using natural pigments for her paints and yucca for her brush, but it was the way she took pride in her pottery. Her relatives who carved kachina dolls, creating visual arts, and silversmithing were influential, as watching others as well.
Are there any artists or particular styles that influenced you?
As a young artist, I have been in the company of different artists; mentors with great influence and experience in their own fields. Growing up in a traditional household, art and culture was always around. A great influence of Hopi art were carved kachina dolls, pottery, jewelry, traditional Hopi textiles and other arts and crafts. This was the foundation for a younger me to express one’s growth, talent, and heritage. I also see this as a lifelong learning experience. Seeing Hopi culture in art, southwest magazines and articles written about major Hopi artists such as Michael Kabotie, Delbridge Honanie, Bob Lomadapki and Nampeyo and many others. Being able to see their work in galleries at festivals, collections was something I could relate to and be inspired by. Bob Lomadapki was a mentor, elder and gallery owner. He gave me my first opportunity to display my work in his gallery, called Isvaki. Mr. Lomadapki, a silversmith by trade produced and created Hopi overlay jewelry. As an elder he passed his knowledge of the trade of an artist, how to present and foster confidence to talk about one’s work. This gave me further insights to explore other artists, mediums, and expressions.
Lomayumtewa Ishii
Photo: Tamara Hastie
Where did the inspiration come from for this collection Sinom, The People?
The collection for Sinom has been in the process for some years and creating work that defines one’s heritage, wisdom, experience, and balances between Hopi and those living in the city. The artwork for the collection is an inspiration that comes from a deeper perspective of Hopi, our spiritual way of life, our connections to our ancestors, the land and our prayers, and our traditional ceremonial cycles. It is the growth of the individual and being able to incorporate their traditional values have been passed on through generations, family, clans, and perspective of elders into the community. My artwork incorporates all these values into each individual piece, a process of creating and defining quality work, remembering and keeping the inspiration, which includes spending time at my So’oh, grandmother house. Her house was and still is today the main spot on “Rabbit Lane”, First Mesa Hopi Village.
What do you want people to know about you, as an artist and your work?
As an artist we can create meaningful works of art. It is a language within itself. Each artwork reflects my deep sense of energy, awareness and feelings that are communicated from my personal ideas and influences on canvas, the paint brush in hand, and keeping the inspiration flowing. My work has been recognized and characterized as abstract, fine, detail, and vibrant. I wish to be known as an artist that creates on different media platforms, ultimately reacting out and eventually reaching out to an audience abroad. It is Hopi-created artwork inspired from the Sinom, “The people.” I feel that Sinom is an inspiration that is influenced by culture, values, language, symbolisms, and the human aspect of peaceful co-existence, that I try to reflect in my artwork.
