Wolves Courting at Full Moon

Christine McHorse, Wolves Courting at Full Moon, 1988, fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1997.124.161
Christine McHorse, Wolves Courting at Full Moon, 1988, fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch, 11 5813 78 in. (29.535.2 cm) diam., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1997.124.161

Artwork Details

Title
Wolves Courting at Full Moon
Date
1988
Dimensions
11 5813 78 in. (29.535.2 cm) diam.
Credit Line
Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson
Mediums
Mediums Description
fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch
Classifications
Subjects
  • Animal — wolf
Object Number
1997.124.161

Artwork Description

Christine McHorse uses sparkling mica clay from the mountains around Taos Pueblo in northern New Mexico. She breaks several Navajo traditions in her work by applying imagery to the clay and firing it in an electric kiln, but believes that she can make her "own traditions and taboos" (Chuck and Jan Rosenak, Museum of American Folk Art Encyclopedia, 1990). Animals are important in Native American culture, and in these pieces McHorse has incorporated the crow, symbol of the gateway to the supernatural, and the wolf, which Navajos regard as a teacher of wisdom.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Frank E. Cummings III, Ode to Today, 1993, ebony, 18k gold, pearls, and imperial topaz, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler in honor of Kenneth R. Trapp, curator-in-charge of the Renwick Gallery (1995--2003), 2003.60.7A-C
Ode to Today
Date1993
ebony, 18k gold, pearls, and imperial topaz
Not on view
Frank E. Cummings III, On the Edge Naturally, 1990, kingwood burl, 18k gold, and mother-of-pearl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur and Charles Bresler, 2002.66A-B
On the Edge Naturally
Date1990
kingwood burl, 18k gold, and mother-of-pearl
Not on view
Frank E. Cummings III, Lady Lace with New Shoes, 1989, black walnut, ivory, gold and onyx, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of George Peter Lamb and Lucy Scardino in memory of Natalie Rust Lamb, 1995.100.4
Lady Lace with New Shoes
Date1989
black walnut, ivory, gold and onyx
Not on view
Carousel: Age of Awareness
Date1994
walnut, ebony, black onyx, 18K gold, pearl rubellite
Not on view

Audio

Stop 111: Wolves Courting at Full Moon

Wolves Courting at Full Moon
1980, enamel on plywood with painted frame

CHRISTINE MCHORSE
Born: Morenci, Arizona 1948

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