SWAIA ARTIST Profile

Debra Duwyenie

Name
Debra Duwyenie
Tribe
Santa Clara Pueblo
Main Classification
Pottery
Classification #2
Classification #3

SWAIA Booth History

SFIM25
WA W 410
WIM24
103
SFIM24
WA W 410

SWAIA Highlight History

Featured in 2024
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2024 Award History

N/A
Portfolio Example & Artist Statement
Debra Duwyenie

Using native clay from Santa Clara Pueblo, I create seed pots and plates. Each piece is sandpapered and stone polished. I use a sharp tool for the designing and etching of the pots, a technique called sgraffito. The imagery is of delicate wildlife like the quails, hummingbirds, rabbits and butterflies. The turtles all have different designs on their backs, mostly representing rain symbols. For the pinkish look on the designs I use a dull pointed tool. After the sgraffito work is completed, an outdoor traditional firing is done. I also collaborate with my husband who creates the lids with silver casting grain, using cuttlebone and tufa for the casting. He then fabricates the cast pieces into removal silver lids. During certain ceremonial seasons in the Pueblos, seeds were given to the people for planting. The seeds were stored in small clay pots and a topper, possibly a corn husk, was fashioned as a stopper to keep rodents/insects out. This is our modern-day representation.

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