Rowan Harrison 2013

Rowan Harrison, Navajo/Pueblo of Isleta,  “The pen and ink designs started coming about in the fall of 2010, for many years I have been exploring patterns and decorative elements on my three dimensional ceramic pieces, in a more symmetrical format.  By applying the design elements, Native American motifs and patterns on a two-dimensional surface, it allows me to explore these designs in a more non-symmetrical way.  I enjoy taking the larger elements of my design work and expanding them in a more spontaneous fashion, at the same time applying all the Native American elements within these expanded shapes and forms.  As these designs on paper started to evolve new ideas and elements slowly began to appear in each piece, natural elements, the moon, the stars, the planets, and the vortex design, elements in nature that I constantly draw inspiration from. “

“The motifs, designs, elements all relate to my Native American background and the inspirations go as far back as to the great ancestors, the Anasazi culture.  These people were constant watchers of the cosmos, the stars, the moon, the sun, the planets all of these celestial elements played an integral part in the sustenance of our ancestors.  By observing the rising and setting of the moon and the sun, they were able to determine the changing of the seasons, which gave them a calendar and divided their time into two periods, the winter solstice and the summer solstice.  This indicated when they would plant and harvest their crops, the round elements with the cross hatching represent the moon and the sun.  The smaller blackened circles represent the planets, I really appreciate the relationship between the moon and the planets, and these can be seen on certain nights throughout the year.  The sun represents one of many dieties in this case it represents Father Sun.  All the dots that are laid within the bigger motifs, represent the stars, to me the stars represent past lives, past generations, past ancestors who have moved on, there is a wonderful folk tale that represents this, it is from the Kiowa people, and it is the story of how the big dipper and devils tower came to be, it deals with 7 sisters and their brother who were at play one day. “