21 Facts About Fred Kabotie

Fred Kabotie was born into a culturally connected Hopi family at Songo'opavi, Second Mesa, Arizona.

Fred Kabotie belonged to the Bluebird Clan, and his father belonged to the Sun Clan.

Fred Kabotie encouraged her students to embrace their culture within their paintings.

Fred Kabotie painted Katsinas because he missed home, and sold his first painting for 50 cents to the school's carpentry teacher.

Fred Kabotie convinced Kabotie to continue his education at Santa Fe Public High School.

Fred Kabotie commenced a long association with local archaeologist Edgar Lee Hewett, joining him at archaeological excavations at Jemez Springs, New Mexico, and Gran Quivira.

In 1930 Fred Kabotie moved back to Shungopavi, Arizona, where he lived for most of his life.

Fred Kabotie was initiated into the Wuwtsimt men's society and married Alice Talayaonema.

In 1932 Fred Kabotie's work was featured in the American Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, along with the work of Zia Pueblo artist, Ma Pe Wi, and several other Native American artists.

In 1937 Oraibi High school opened for Hopi students, and Fred Kabotie taught painting there for 22 years.

Fred Kabotie was an advisor at the 1939 Golden Gate International Exposition in San Francisco, California, where he worked with curators Frederic Huntington Douglas and Rene d'Harnoncourt on a show of Native American art.

Fred Kabotie worked with the Guild in various ways, including serving as president from 1960 until his retirement in 1971.

The high school at Hopi closed, so upon his return from India, Fred Kabotie worked with the Indian Arts and Crafts Board.

Fred Kabotie had long assisted other tribal members in marketing their artwork.

Fred Kabotie received the Guggenheim Fellowship in 1945, which enabled him to study Mimbres pottery and write the book, Designs From the Ancient Mimbrenos.

Fred Kabotie was awarded the Palmes d'Academique from the French government for his contribution to Native American art in 1954.

Fred Kabotie died on February 28,1986, after a long illness.

Fred Kabotie was best known for his painting, and is estimated to have finished 500 paintings.

Fred Kabotie's son Michael Kabotie was a well-known artist.

Fred Kabotie's paintings are seen as realistic, and colorful with dynamic solid strong figures.

Fred Kabotie's work was part of Stretching the Canvas: Eight Decades of Native Painting, a survey at the National Museum of the American Indian George Gustav Heye Center.