Gourd depicting Kachina Mask, c. 1990
by Robert Rivera
gourd, pigment, feathers, leather, glass beads, metal stand
21.5” high x 10” wide x 8” deep
Gourd art is a beautiful creation, common among many Nations and tribes. The artist will dry a gourd over the course of a few months before its ready for painting. The paintings are often based upon ancient petroglyph art.
Since 1978, Robert Rivera has been creating beautiful art with ordinary gourds of all shapes and sizes. He considers each gourd for subject matter based on its shape. Robert has created stunning works including masked Prehistoric Katsinam, Indian dancers and chanters, storytellers, and of course, pots with animals of the southwest adorning the exteriors.
For over 30 years, Rivera has been represented in galleries and has won numerous awards for his talent and artisanship. In fact, he is often considered a pioneer in this medium of art with his ability to create fine art pieces, from elegant to rustic styles.
