Grandma’s Gifts

Whether seen as gifts of the dolls, or gifts of her stories that pass the legacy of their people to the younger generation, the essence of this sculpture is the value of this giving relationship between grandmother and child. The elders of all cultures are the wisdom keepers, those who can pass down invaluable lessons through stories, legends, and example. In Pueblo cultures of the Southwest, such elders instill a sense of virtue, self worth, and tribal pride through stories involving deities called Kachinas. These Kachinas play a crucial role in the survival and spirituality of the people. Kachina dolls are given to young girls to help teach them the significance of various deities. Here the "mudheads," the "koshare,” and the kachina "mother" and "maiden" represent the traditional tribal dolls. To acknowledge the outside influences in today's Pueblo cultures, a teddy bear and sock monkey join the audience, and listen with the granddaughter to ancient legends. Bronze, 24” x 24” x 24”