Tahbo, Mark

Hopi-Tewa potter Mark Tahbo
“I live just a skip and a hop northeast of Sikyátki, the old village. I go up there a lot in the fall and winter when the rattlers go into hibernation. This is where my thoughts of pottery come to me. There is a path that leads to the top of the mesa, where the petroglyphs can be seen. I touch them softly. In my early years I looked at these designs for inspiration.”

Mark Tahbo was born to Ramon and Mary Tahbo in April, 1958. A member of the Hopi-Tewa Tobacco Clan, he was a potter for more than 40 years.

Mark told us he learned the basics of the traditional Hopi-Tewa method of pottery making from his great-grandmother, Grace Chapella. “She used to hold my hands and rub them, as if she was rubbing into my hands the gift of creativity. Then she said confidently, ‘I know you have it.’ I loved to touch her skin, so silky, thin and transparent.”

Mark also learned from Alma Tahbo, his grandmother. Other potters in his family include his sister, Dianna Tahbo, uncle Larson Goldtooth, and cousins Dorothy Ami, Ted Howato and Debbie Clashin.

Mark said that after Grace died, he started exploring different paths with designs inspired by the seasons. He painted melons, corn and squash, flocks of birds and swarms of bats. He tried a spatter technique and a friend said it looked like work by the abstract painter Jackson Pollock.

Mark participated in shows at the Gallup InterTribal Ceremonial, the Santa Fe Indian Market, the Heard Museum Guild Indian Art Fair and the Hopi Show at the Museum of Northern Arizona, earning more ribbons than he said he could remember. At Santa Fe he earned the prestigious Charles Loloma Memorial Award and the equally prestigious Helen Naha Memorial Award for Excellence in Traditional Hopi Pottery. He was also recognized as the top traditional Hopi potter three years in a row. Awards he earned at the Heard Museum include Best of Division, Best of Class and a Judge’s Choice Award.

Mark told us his favorite shapes to make were seed pots, jars, tiles, vases and piki bowls. His favorite designs come from Sikyátki and Nampeyo. He said he got most of his inspiration from walking through the ancient pueblo of Sikyátki.

Mark said he was interested in passing his knowledge on to upcoming generations and leaving a legacy of himself and his people through his work. He was also very focused on passing on the ability to know and express who you are, in all facets of yourself, through your work.

Sadly, Mark passed on in December 2017.

Some Awards earned by Mark

  • 2016 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. A – Traditional – native clay, hand built, painted, Honorable Mention
  • 2004 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. E – Traditional pottery, jars, including wedding jars, Cat. 1201 – Hopi, First Place
  • 2002 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Class. VIII – Pottery, Div. B – Traditional/Native Clay/Hand Built (unpainted), Honorable Mention
  • 2001 Santa Fe Indian Market. Artists’ Choice Award, Helen Naha Memorial Award for Excellence in Traditional Hopi Pottery
    – Class. II – Pottery, Div. F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Cat. 1302 – Other bowl forms, First Place
  • 2001 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Class. VII – Pottery, Div. A – Traditional/Native Clay/Hand Built (painted), Best of Division
  • 2000 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Cat. 1304 – Other bowl forms (over 9″ in diameter), Second Place;
    – Div. G – Non-traditional pottery, new forms using traditional materials and techniques, Cat. 1404 – Jars, Third Place;
    – Div. J – Pottery miniatures, 3″ or less in height or diameter, Cat. 1603 – Traditional forms, jars, all other, Second Place
  • 2000 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Challenge Award in Traditional Pottery
    – Class. VII – Pottery, Div. A – Traditional/Native Clay/Hand Built (painted), Honorable Mention
  • 1998 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. E – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Cat. 1202 – Jars, Hopi, Second Place
  • 1999 Annual Hopi Artist’s Exhibit. Museum of Northern Arizona, Annual Charles Loloma Memorial Award Pottery Division
    – Pottery Div., Decorative Plainware, First Place;
    – Contemporary, Non-traditional, First Place
  • 1998 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Judge’s Choice Award
    – Class. VI – Pottery, Div. A – Traditional/Native Clay/Hand Built (painted), Best of Division
  • 1997 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. G – Traditional pottery, undecorated, plain polished black, red, or white, including bear paw & melon design, Cat. 905 – Other bowls, Second Place;
    – Div. F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Cat. 1302 – Seed bowls, First Place
  • 1996 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. G – Traditional pottery, undecorated, plain polished black, red, or white, including bear paw & melon design, Cat. 901 – Jars (up to 9″ tall), First Place;
    – Cat. 905 – Other bowls, Second Place
  • 1995 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market, Classification VII – Pottery, Division A – Traditional Construction: Honorable Mention
  • 1993 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Cat. 1402 – seed bowls (over 7″ in diameter), First Place;
    – Cat. 1406 – Canteens, Third Place
  • 1992 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. G – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, all forms except jars, Cat. 1404 – Other bowl forms over 8″ in diameter, Third Place
  • 1992 Heard Museum Guild Indian Fair & Market. Class. VII – Pottery, Div. A – Traditional construction and firing methods, Best of Division
  • 1991 Santa Fe Indian Market. Class. II – Pottery, Div. B – Traditional pottery, undecorated, Cat. 908 – Misc, First Place;
    – Div. F – Traditional pottery, painted designs on matte or semi-matte surface, Best of Division;
    – Cat. 1301 – Jars, Hopi, First Place
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