Charles Loloma

Charles Loloma
Born	January 7, 1921(1921-01-07) Hotevilla-Bacavi, Arizona
Died	June 9, 1991(1991-06-09) (aged 70)
Nationality	American (United States)
Field	Jewelry, Painting, Pottery, Sculpture

Charles Loloma (January 7, 1921 – June 9, 1991) was an American artist of Hopi ancestry. He was born in Hopi Third Mesa to Rex and Rachael Loloma. He served in the military in 1941 to 1945, where he was stationed in the Aleutian Islands. Thanks to the GI Bill, Loloma was able to go the Alfred University in New York. In 1954 he opened a pottery shop in Scottsdale, Arizona. He called his line of pottery Lolomaware.

Although he was an excellent potter and painter, he found his true passion in jewelry making. Some of Loloma’s designs were of outside influences. This brought harsh judgment on his art. Comments made about his art included, “It’s nice but it’s not Indian.” Loloma’s work was rejected from the Gallup Intertribal Art Show three times.^[1]

Most Native jewelers use traditional materials such as turquoise, silver and occasionally accented with some coral. Loloma used unconventional materials like sugilite, lapis, ivory, gold, pearls, diamonds and even wood. He used turquoise as an accent to his pieces. He got much of his inspirations from other cultures. Loloma created Hopi interpretations of Egyptian figures.

Loloma had many accomplishments across the globe. He won first prize in the Scottsdale National Indian Art Exhibition seven years in a row. He had two shows in Paris. He was featured in NET and PBS in 1972. In Japan he was the artist in residence in 1974. He was also commissioned to make a piece for the queen of Denmark. He visited many countries; France, Egypt and Colombia to name a few. His achievements inspired other Native jewelers such Jesse Monongye.

Although Loloma died in 1991, he remains an inspiration to Native artists. “We are a very serious people and have tried hard to elevate ourselves, but in order to create valid art you have to be true to your health and your heritage”.^[2]

Notes

1. ^ Struever, Martha Hopkins (2005). Loloma: Beauty Is His Name. Wheelwright Museum of the American Indian, Santa Fe, New Mexico. pp. 209. 
2. ^ Charles Loloma; Artist, 70. New York Times June 12, 1991

References

• Bedinger, Margery. Indian Silver: Navajo and Pueblo Jewelers. Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press, 1973. ISBN 978-0826302731.
• Cirillo, Dexter. Southwestern Indian Jewelry. New York: Rizzoli, 2008. ISBN 978-0847831104.
• King, Dale S. Indian Silver: Volume Two. Tucson, Arizona: Dale Stuart King, 1976. ASIN B00117VZ2S.

External links

• Charles Loloma, biography from American Masters of Stone.
• Charles Loloma - Hopi Modernist, article from Metalsmith Magazine.

Persondata
Name	Loloma, Charles
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	January 7, 1921
Place of birth	Hotevilla-Bacavi, Arizona
Date of death	June 9, 1991
Place of death