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 (3 items)

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
Wolves Courting at Full Moon
Date1988
fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch
On view
Christine McHorse, Crow Pot, 1991, kiln-fired and pit-fired micaceous clay with pinon pitch, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Chuck and Jan Rosenak and museum purchase made possible by Mrs. Gibson Fahnestock, 1997.124.159
Crow Pot
Date1991
kiln-fired and pit-fired micaceous clay with pinon pitch
On view
Christine McHorse, Lizard Pot, ca. 1990, pit-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, 1997.124.160
Lizard Pot
Dateca. 1990
pit-fired micaceous clay with piñon pitch
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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