Grace Medicine Flower


Grace Medicine Flower is a potter, best known for her intricately carved miniature redware and blackware.

Early life and education

Grace Medicine Flower was born in 1938 at Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. She is a member of the famous Tafoya pottery family and the niece of Margaret Tafoya. Her pots from 1968 to 1972 were done in collaboration with her father, Camilio Tafoya, and are signed with both of their names.

Themes

Grace Medicine Flower's work reflects the spiritual beliefs of her ancestors and often features birds, wildlife, and flowers.

Work

Medicine Flower creates her pottery from local clay she digs herself at Santa Clara Pueblo. She dries the clay in the sun and fires the work outside. She uses a knife or nail to carve her designs using the sgraffito style. Her work began in miniatures but has evolved to include larger bowls and jars.

Awards and nominations

Medicine Flower's work has won multiple awards at the