HOPI TILES
The Hopi Indians of Nothern Arizona were making tiles by the 1880's. Most of these that have survived were decorated with images of the Katchinas but many included animals and geometric designs. It is presumed that tiles were originally made at the encouragement of traders for sale to tourists but later they were sold by the Fred Harvey Company continuing through the early 20th century.

LES NAMINGHA TILES
Although Les Namingha made some tiles in 1995, using abstracted Hopi designs, his first series of tiles was made in 1998 in conjuntion with a group show at our gallery of mask forms. These faces were adapted from images on rock art. This current series of tiles was made from commercial clays, painted with colored slips and fired in an electric kiln then over painted with acrylics.