Hamilton, Eugene

Born in 1934, Eugene Hamilton was the husband of Tonita Hamilton Nampeyo. Tonita was the granddaughter of Nampeyo of Hano and daughter of Fannie Nampeyo. Toward the end of Fannie’s life, she and Tonita were almost inseparable. After Fannie died, Tonita moved her family into the Hopi-Tewa Corn clan house and she assumed her duties as the Corn clan Mother.

Eugene was a kachina carver before he learned how to make pottery from his wife and mother-in-law. Following in the footsteps of his uncle-in-law, Thomas Polacca, Eugene used those finely honed carving skills in making his pottery.

Eugene was a highly skilled potter in his own right but he generally deferred to assisting Tonita with her pieces.