Selected Photographs from Helga Teiwes’ Hopi Basket Weaving Project

Prompted by her interest in Hopi arts and crafts, Helga Teiwes, photographer for the Arizona State Museum, documented Hopi basket weavers over the course of three years in the early 1990's. Her efforts culminated into the book, Hopi Basket Weaving, Artistry in Natural Fibers. She captured the three styles of basketry woven at Hopi: the wicker basketry of Third Mesa, the coiled basketry of Second Mesa and plaited basketry from all of the Mesas. In addition she documented the women who created these works of art and photographed the materials including sivaapi (rabbitbrush), siwi (dune broom) suuvi (sumac) and mooho (yucca). Her photographs illustrate how the materials were gathered and prepared and show the weaving techniques used. This collection of photographs is a representative sample of Ms. Teiwes's work.

Featured basket weavers include Madeline Lamson, Retta Lou Adams, Joyce Ann Saufkie, Mollie Talas, and Annabelle Nequatewa of Shungopovi, Treva Burton and Bessie Monongye of Oraibi, Remalda Lomayestewa, Almarie Masayestewa, Leora Kayquoptewa, and Abigail Kaursgowva of Hotevilla, and Margie Lonnie, and Evelyn Seletstewa of Mishongnovi.

About the Photographer

Helga Teiwes worked for the Arizona State Museum from 1964-1993, documenting Southwest American Indian culture and arts, archaeological excavations, and the Museum's collections. Her photographs have appeared nationally and internationally in numerous exhibitions and publications.