Otis Polelonema (1902–1981), was a Hopi painter, illustrator, weaver, song composer, and educator.[1][2] He lived in Shongopovi most of his life.[3] He also worked as a WPA artist in the mural division.[4][5] His native name in the Hopi language is Lomadamocvia which translates to Springtime.[6]

Biography

Otis Polelonema was born on February 21, 1902 the Hopi Reservation in Shongopovi (Hopi: Songòopavi), Arizona.[7][3] He learned to weave from his father and uncles, as it is tradition in Hopi culture for the men to be weavers.[3] Polelonema worked as a sheep farmer in his early life and again in later life.[6]

In 1914, he attended the Santa Fe Indian School, under the supervision of John DeHuff.[6] Polelonema took after-school art instruction classes at Elizabeth Willis DeHuff's house, studying alongside Fred Kabotie, Velino Shije Herrera, Awa Tsireh, and others.[6][8] He remained in Santa Fe until 1920, then returned to his hometown.[4][6]

In 1925, Polelonema married Jessie Salaftoche, and together they had 6 children.[6] His son Tyler Polelonema is a noted artist.[6]

Polelonema stopped painting in the 1970s, and started to focus on Hopi traditions and Hopi cultural arts.[6] In late life, he worked as a song composer of Hopi ceremonial dances, including songs of the Gray Flute society.[6] He taught Hopi weaving in 1971 at Mary Pendleton's Pendleton Fabric Craft School in Sedona, Arizona.[3]

Death and legacy

Otis died on December 27, 1981 at Shungopovi, during the Solstice Ceremony.[6][9] However sometimes 1972 is attributed as his year of death.[10]

Polelonema's artwork can be found in museum collections, including at the Heard Museum,[11] Gilcrease Museum,[12] McNay Art Museum,[13] New Mexico Museum of Art (formerly Museum of New Mexico Art Gallery),[14] National Museum of the American Indian,[15] and the Detroit Institute of Arts museum.[16] His work is also part of the Elizabeth Willis DeHuff Collection of American Indian Art at Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Yale University.[17][18]

Publications

• DeHuff, Elizabeth Willis (1922). Taytay's Tales, collected and retold. Fred Kabotie (illustrator), Otis Polelonema (illustrator). New York City, NY: Harcourt, Brace and Company.

References