Kevin Pochoema

Master kachina doll carver Kevin Pochoema grew up on the Hopi Reservation of Third Mesa, Arizona, of the greasewood and roadrunner clans. It was here in the village of Bacavi that the foundation for Pochoema’s craft was built. As a child, he and his brothers would visit their grandmother, who, with the assistance of carved kachina dolls, taught them Hopi traditions and instilled in them the Hopi way of life. These carved dolls are a means of education, teaching children about the kachinas or katsinam, deities that control elements of the natural world and provide a channel between humans and spirits. Play became craft and Pochoema learned from his family the intricacies of creating these kachina dolls. At the age of 15, Pochoema began seriously immersing himself in the skill of kachina doll carving, and after years of practice, passion, and innovation, Pochoema has been able to push the limits of possibility in the centuries-old craft. Using a single piece of cottonwood root, the doll is carved and then meticulously painted. Pochoema is acclaimed for his adeptness in detail and sense of movement; each doll is masterfully transformed from a root to the elaborate final product. Outside of the representation of the kachina, Pochoema is able to capture entire scenes in a carving. His accolades are numerous; at Gallup Ceremonial, he took Best of Division, Best of Class, and all categories in the 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd Divisions. At O’dam Tash, he won Best of Division as well as ribbons in every category. He also holds a Blue Ribbon from the Hopi Show at the Northern Arizona Museum. Additionally, he has published 16 books and has been featured in several art magazines. Pochoema now resides in Santa Fe, New Mexico, where he continues to excel and break boundaries by doing what he loves.