Artist in Residence: Bobby Silas
November 12 - November 23
We are excited to welcome Bobby Silas to the Eiteljorg Museum! Bobby will join us as part of our annual Artist in Residence program, featuring Native and Western artists from across North America to spotlight their work and cultures. During his residency, he will visit classrooms, libraries and senior centers throughout the area.
About Bobby: Bobby Silas is a creative potter reviving ancient designs for his contemporary pottery. He learned the basics of making pottery in 2004-5 when he lived in Zuni Pueblo and attended Zuni High School but already had some knowledge of making traditional Hopi pottery. While attending Zuni high school he learned the basics of zuni pottery from his teacher Gabriel Paloma. While he is Hopi, Bobby has adapted to the traditional Zuni style of making pottery which had led him to have meet his late partner Timothy Edaakie in 2010 and together they developed an artistic working partnership where they both took off with the traditional style of Zuni polychrome inspired by historic Zuni pottery. The partners continued making pottery for ten years before continuing on their own artistic paths. Bobby Silas credits learning to make Hopi pottery from his godfather Kevin Navasie. Bobby’s focus was to revive the Sikyatki pottery of 1100-1600 and he accomplished this technique through trial and error. Since 2015 Bobby has revived the sikyatki method of firing using lignite coal, which he acquires near antelope mesa at Hopi. The Sikaytki pottery was fired with lignite, which burns longer and at a higher temperature than firing pottery with sheep manure. His pieces are inspired by the Sikyatki polychrome and Jeddito black-on-yellow pottery. Each piece is hand-coiled, painted with native clay slips, and a bee-weed plant variant. Bobby has won multiple awards for his distinctive and creative pottery.
Artist in Residence Schedule:
Member-Only Coffee & Conversation
November 19th, 9 – 10 a.m.
Eiteljorg members, you can hear more from Bobby as he talks about his work, inspirations and background over coffee and donuts. Click here for more information.
Open Studio’s
November, 19th & 23rd, 1 – 4 p.m.
During open studios, you can observe and learn from Bobby while he works. This is available with your museum admission, no additional charge is required.
We hope you join us in welcoming Bobby to Indy and take the time to meet him!