"HOPI CLOUD DANCER"

Among the Hopi tribes of our southwest, their many dances include the Cloud Dancer. Women wear a black dress and headdresses made from boards, cut with a stylized cloud shape on the top.

I have enlarged the board headdress to form a backdrop for this dancer. Notice the lightning streaks in the black material, symbolizing the prayers sent for life giving storms and of course, the needed rain.

A twill weaving structure was used, designed by the artist. Materials include cotton, Navaho warp, rayan, and lurex. This is not an exact copy of the cloud dancer dress, but the original served as an inspiration for the design.

For sale: $3,375

60” x 36” x 2”
Costume on Canvas
Kelly James, Photographer - Salem, Oregon
Anne Abendroth - Artist