Information about the art of Chase Kahwinhut Earles

Member Info -- Chase Kahwinhut Earles

Chase Kahwinhut Earles

From 800 AD to 1700 Caddo pottery was an incredible and well-known tradition in the North American Southeast, traded far and wide, even overseas. Knowledge of this cultural history disappeared as the Caddo tribe was decimated from diseases and colonialism. Our last Caddo potter, a matriarch of my tribal namesake, stopped making pottery around 1908 and our tradition was almost lost. I hope to bring that unsung ceramic legacy back to the light.
Most people don’t see our ancestral pottery because our pottery was used at the end of its life as a burial offering. In that way, these culturally sensitive pieces cannot be put on public display. It is important to me to respectfully capture the skillfulness and intricate details and methods of our tradition in order to reintroduce its importance and create new admiration for our tribe.
However, I also feel deeply that our tribe’s representation and communication through the design and creation of pottery would have evolved over time with the introduction of new situations and environments. For that reason, I also strive to present a new ceramic and sculptural interpretation from my own experiences as an ambassador to my Caddo tribe and its ancient cultural identity.

GALLERIES

Awards, Recognition, Articles:

BEST OF SHOW, 2019 Cherokee Art Market

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Website: Chase Kahwinhut Earles's website