Nampeyo, James

Born into the Hopi-Tewa Corn clan in 1958, James Nampeyo was a great-grandson of Nampeyo of Hano. His grandmother was Fannie Nampeyo, his mother Leah Nampeyo.

James grew up surrounded by some of the finest potters in the Hopi-Tewa world but he credited his grandmother, Fannie, with teaching him most of what he knew. He also learned from her to never deviate from the shapes, styles and designs from ancient Sikyátki that were made famous by his great-grandmother.

James lived in Tucson for many years but still dug his own clay from the Hopi mesas and still prepared his own natural painting materials.

Early in life he married Fawn Navasie (the daughter of Eunice Navasie and granddaughter of Paqua Naha).

Fawn had grown up in a family that made Hopi whiteware (also known as Walpi Polychrome). The process to make that is a bit different from what James learned growing up. The designs Fawn was familiar with were not so familiar to James either, and vice versa. He learned a lot from Fawn, and she from him. They still collaborated sometimes after their divorce, especially on larger pieces.

In his own creations James stayed with the shapes, styles and designs of his great-grandmother, as his grandmother taught him to do so many years ago. His favorite designs were thunderbirds, eagle tails, feathers and sacred clowns.

Sadly, James passed away in the first week of July, 2019.