Carla Claw-Nampeyo

Artist Profile

Carla Claw Nampeyo is one of the granddaughters of the famous ﾓNampeyoﾔ. She learned the art of working with clay in 1984. It was Thomas Polacca who inspired this artist the most and became the greatest influence in pointing Carla in the right direction of the Hopi ways. Polacca taught Carla the fundamentals of traditional pottery making. While Carla practices traditional pottery making, she also specializes in contemporary-styled pottery. Her contemporary pots feature kachinas, warriors, clowns and traditional designs carved using sharp objects. Carla polishes her pieces using a sacred stone passed down to her from other artisans. Carla signs her pottery as: Carla Nampeyo, Hopi.