Photography by Edward C. Robison III.
Havasu Revisited
In the Mojave language, a havasu is a large water reservoir and translates literally to “blue-green water.” Kay WalkingStick evokes this space and place by placing these two panels alongside one another. Together they relate the significance of land and precious metals through representations of light, beauty, and openings of the earth. Both land and copper are considered sacred to the Cherokee, the community to which WalkingStick belongs.
Text written by Elise Boulanger (Citizen of the Osage Nation/Wahzhazhe), Curatorial Intern and MA, Art History in Arts of the Americas, University of Arkansas ’26
ArtistKay WalkingStick, Cherokee, born 1935
Date1996/2009
MediumAcrylic, saponified wax, modeling paste, copper, and oil on panel and canvas, diptych
Dimensions28 x 56 x 1 1/4 in. (71.1 x 142.2 x 3.2 cm)
Signedleft panel, l.r.: KW'09
left panel, verso, u.c.: Kay WalkingStick / 2009
right panel, verso: Kay WalkingStick / 8.4.95
Inscription(s)left panel, verso, u.c.: #372
left panel, verso, l.c.: Left side / "Havasu / Revisited"
left panel, verso on central stretcher bar: 1995/2009 28 x 56" [upside down] "HAVASU Revisited"
right panel, verso, u.l.: "Havasu"
right panel, verso, u.r.: Rt. side / '95
right panel, verso, l.c.: #09-372 / "Havasu Revisited" / finished: 2·6·09
Credit LineCrystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, Arkansas, 2022.23
ClassificationPainting
ProvenanceArtist; to (Hales Gallery, New York, NY); purchased by Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Bentonville, AR, 2022
On ViewYes
This artwork's face covers about 215× the area of a tennis ball.Drawn to the same scale.