Ida Sahmie
(b. 1960)
Ida Sahmie was born in 1960 near Pine Springs, AZ. She grew up in a traditional Navajo family. She learned to weave from her mother and grandmother. Ida did not think she had the patience to be a serious weaver. In the mid 1980s she married Andrew “Louie” Sahmie who was Hopi. Ida then moved to the Hopi reservation. Her mother-in-law was Priscilla Namingha, a well-known potter and descendant of the famous Hopi potter Nampeyo.
Ida watched Priscilla making pottery and was moved by the beautiful work. Wanting to do something with her hands, Ida was encouraged by her mother-in-law to make some pots. She started out making small pots which she fired along with Priscilla’s work. Her original designs were simple Hopi based patterns. Ida soon realized that she needed to make her own design based on her Navajo heritage.
At this time Bruce McGee owned the Indian Art Gallery at the historic Keams Canyon Trading Post. Ida planned to drive Priscilla there to sell some of her pots – she suggested that Ida bring some of her own. Bruce bought some and asked for more. This was the beginning of Ida’s career as a potter.
Studying Navajo sand painting designs was the inspiration for the images that Ida uses on her pots. As some of these are sacred imaged they must be depicted exactly, others required that Ida have a Night Chant ceremony performed before it would be safe to depict the figures.
Designs are derived from her Navajo heritage, the pots are created using Hopi techniques. She prefers to dig her clay on the Navajo reservation. She uses a mix of natural white and yellow clays resulting in a peach colored body which shows off her designs the best. She mixes a little of the white clay with wild spinach to create a softer black slip used in her images.
The posts are fired outside in the traditional way with ash and sand then mounded over with sheep manure for intense heat. The firing process can take all day and can only be accomplished when the weather is just right.
Ida won 2nd Place and Best of Class for her pottery at the 2010 Navajo Nation Fair. The combination of Hopi techniques and Navajo designs makes her pottery truly unique.
Source: Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian
Chant & Nite Chant
Artist: Ida Sahmie (b. 1960)
Description: Pottery (1988) | Chant: 6”h x 7”d; Nite Chant: 4”h x 6”d
Growing up in a traditional Navajo family, Ida Sahmie learned to weave from her mother and grandmother even though they thought she lacked the patience of a serious weaver. Following marriage, Ida moved to the Hopi reservation. She watched her mother-in-law, Priscilla Namingha, a well-known potter and descendant of Nampeyo, a famous Hopi potter, make her beautiful pots and became enthralled. Ida was encouraged by Priscilla to engage in the craft. First, she began with small pieces and simple Hopi designs, but it wasn’t long before Ida realized she could create her own design elements based on her Navajo traditions and heritage.
Ida’s pots are created using Hopi techniques, but she prefers clay found on the Navajo reservation and her design inspiration is derived from studying Navajo sand paintings. And it is this rich cultural combination that makes her pottery so very unique. While some of the images Ida depicts are sacred and must be done precisely and exactly, others require a “Nite Chant” ceremony be performed before it is safe to incorporate them into her designs.
Ida is an award-winning potter and currently makes her home in Pine Springs, Arizona.