Red Star, Norman

Norman Red Star is the nephew of Sioux/Santa Clara potter Elmer Red Starr. He was born into the Sioux Nation in 1955. In his 20s he was into doing beadwork, then he went into hand-carving stone sculptures. He spent several years doing paintings, then got interested in making pottery when he was about 40. He was inspired to do it, then taught how to do it, by his uncle.

Norman learned to make pottery the Santa Clara way but, like his uncle, he incorporated elements of his Sioux heritage in his sgraffito designs. He always said he drew his design inspiration from his connection with nature and wildlife. He also liked to inlay stones in his pieces.