Crow Mother Sculpture
by Kim Seyesnem Obrzut, Hopi Pueblo
Bronze, edition 33/50
37” high x 14” wide x 6” deep
Born Kim Seyesnem (Hopi for "fresh living flower"), the artist holds a Fine Arts and Sculpture degree, Summa Cum Laude, from Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff. Though she began her artistic journey as a traditional Hopi potter using the ancient coil method passed down through generations, Seyesnem pioneered a path into bronze casting more than four decades ago, becoming one of the first American Indian women to excel in this medium.
"The Hopi Tribe of Northern Arizona is thousands of years old," Seyesnem reflects. "I have a lifetime to fully explain my people and their history. I know many of my collectors now understand more about the women and their powerful place in Hopi history."
Her sculptures are immediately recognizable for their graceful, faceless forms, a deliberate artistic choice rooted in Hopi philosophy. "Hopi means 'the peaceful people,'" explains her daughter Krystal, who works alongside her mother. "The figures have no faces because they represent one people. Everyone is equal. We walk together as one people: one mind, one body, one spirit."
Seyesnem maintains exceptional control over her artistic process, working with a dedicated team she has personally trained since her university days. From mold-making and wax work to the final patina application, each piece benefits from decades of collaborative expertise. Her patina specialist, who began working with her at age 18, has now been with the studio for over 30 years, enabling the creation of custom colors and finishes that enhance each sculpture's narrative.
Growing up, Seyesnem watched her grandfather, a traditional kachina carver, practice his sacred art. In Hopi tradition, only men are allowed to carve kachinas, the spiritual beings central to Hopi ceremonial life. Yet young Kim observed intently, absorbing every detail. Her bronze Hopi maidens are her answer to this tradition: a powerful feminine counterpart that honors the women's equally vital role in Hopi culture and spirituality.
"This is her version of the Hopi maiden," Krystal explains. "She couldn't carve kachinas, so she created something entirely her own."
The artist's work has earned positions in museum, corporate, and private collections worldwide. She has served two terms on the Board of Directors for SWAIA (Southwestern Association for Indian Arts), which produces the prestigious Santa Fe Indian Market. Despite her success and numerous awards, Seyesnem remains characteristically humble, preferring to serve on boards and support emerging artists rather than compete for ribbons.
Each sculpture begins with traditional Hopi pottery coils before undergoing the lost wax casting process. The finished bronzes feature the soft, peaceful lines characteristic of Hopi artistic sensibility, teaching viewers about the culture while maintaining appropriate respect for sacred traditions that remain private to the Hopi people.
Seyesnem's works appear in museums, corporate collections, and private collections worldwide. She has been featured in national magazines and published in books on Southwest Art. A member of the Hopi Tribe of Northern Arizona, Seyesnem is recognized as one of the first Hopi women and first American Indian women to work in bronze sculpture.
