JANUARY 26, 1932

PUEBLO POTTER JOSEPH LONEWOLF BORN

Lonewolf, from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico, started a career as a mechanic and then became a trained machinist, making precision parts with fine engraving. When he began making pottery in the late 1960s, this skill helped him create precision-carved pottery. A nephew of famed potter Margaret Tofoya, he learned pottery-making from his mother, Agapita Silva Tafoya, and father, Camilio Tafoya. Lonewolf began using the same sgraffito technique on his pottery that was used by his father and sister, Grace Medicine Flower. Using the tip of a pocketknife blade, he lightly scratched away the surface of the clay, creating precise animal designs. Among Lonewolf’s innovations in pottery-making were highly detailed sgraffito, new and unique natural clay color slip and bas relief. Joseph was awarded the 2009 New Mexico Governors Award for Excellence in the Arts. Lonewolf died November 9, 2014.

Sources:

“Joseph Lonewolf,” New Mexico Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts.  Retrieved 8/17/2022,  New Mexico Governor's Awards for Excellence in the Arts : Award Winners (newmexicoculture.org) “Joseph Lonewolf Pottery,” Adobe Gallery, Santa Fe.”  Retrieved 8/17/2022, Joseph Lonewolf Pottery - Adobe Gallery, Santa Fe

“Joseph Lonewolf Archives,” Native American Collections.  Retrieved 8/17/2022, Joseph Lonewolf Archives • Native American Collections (nativepots.com)

Wikipedia.

Photo: Unknown author or date.  Black Seed Jar, 1974, by Joseph Lonewolf. Permissive Use pursuant to Creative Commons license.