Hopi Women Carrying Water Vessels c. 1920

Fred Kabotie painted ‘Hopi Women Carrying Water Vessels’ on a pale, buff-colored sheet, the women rising up in a vertical line. The watercolour is thin, transparent, and the execution is meticulous, studied, and careful. I love the way the women carry the vessels on their heads, balanced perfectly, a skill passed down through generations. I imagine Kabotie watching, sketching, trying to capture the stillness and grace of the women. What's in the water, I wonder? Is it heavy, or light? Is it for drinking, for washing, or for something else entirely? The patterned red shawls stand out and the subtle variations between them. They are each unique, each woman an individual, yet part of a collective. There is something beautiful in the simple act of carrying water. In this painting, I think Kabotie is showing us the strength and resilience of these women, their connection to their culture, and the land. He makes me think about other artists, like Agnes Martin, who use repetition to create a sense of calm and contemplation. Artists are always looking and responding to each other and to the world.