Faye Tso (1933–2004) was a Navajopotter and herbal medicine healer.[1] Her pieces are known for their nontraditional imagery of corn maidens, warriors, and dancers, whereas Navajo pottery typically has little decoration.[2] Born in Coal Mine Mesa, Arizona, Tso was relocated with other Navajos to Tuba City, Arizona in 1974 because of a land dispute between the Navajo and Hopi tribes.[3] She returned to dig her clay at Coal Mine Mesa, where she also gathered pinon from which she extracted the pitch resin used to coat and seal her Dineh pottery.[1] In 1990, the Arizona Indian Living Treasures Association designated Tso as a living treasure.[4][5] Her husband and son are medicine men and use Tso's pots in their ceremonies.[2][6]
Noted works
Файл:Head of Emmett.jpgHead of Emmett, circa 1985, by Faye Tso, fired clay with piñon pitch, 10 3/8 x 7 1/4 in. (26.4 x 18.4 cm) diam.Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1997.124.175
Head of Emmett, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.175[8]
Bean Pot with Incised Corn Maiden Figures, 1987, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.176[9]
Pot with Dancers with Headdresses and Rattles, c. 1985, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.177[10]
Pot with Figurative Decoration, c. 1992, fired clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, 1997.124.178[11]
Файл:Http- americanart.si.edu images 1997 1997.124.177 1b.jpgPot with Dancers with Headdresses and Rattles, ca. 1985by Faye Tso, fired clay with piñon pitch, 22 x 18 7/8 x 18 1/2 in. (55.9 x 47.9 x 47.0 cm)Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson1997.124.177
