Tyson Nequatewa

My name is Tyson Nequatewa. I am 62 years old and a native of the Hopi tribe and village of Hotevilla, Arizona. I was born in Winslow, Arizona on April 18, 1949. I reside in Zuni , New Mexico with my wife Doris. Together my wife Doris and I have combined our children with 2 sons, Bryson Nequatewa and Byron Shelendewa, and 1 daughter, Violet Richards, and 5 granddaughters and 1 grandson.

I have learned to carve by watching generations of carvers in my family. I began carving at the the age of 19 and have been carving for a little over 40 years. At one point I worked for the Zuni B.I.A. Forestry and carved off and on. Since then I have become a full time carver and artist. I started out carving full figured Kachina dolls with arms and legs, painting them slightly different than how I do now. As of the present time, I carve and paint Kachina sculptures of different kinds except that now my carvings are symbolized by corn bodies which makes my art very unique. Many times people I come in contact with think that the corn looks very real. I enjoy creating my art pieces, making every one original in its own way.

Some of the many awards and accomplishments received in the days of my carving include;