Fauve Navasie

Fawn Garcia Navasie (b. 1959) is a celebrated Hopi-Tewa potter from the village of Polacca on First Mesa, Arizona. She is part of a distinguished family of potters and is known professionally as “Little Fawn” to distinguish her from her late mother, Eunice “Fawn” Navasie (1920–1992), one of the most celebrated Hopi-Tewa potters of her generation. Fawn is the granddaughter of Roscoe and Agnes Navasie, both accomplished artists in their own right, continuing a legacy of traditional Hopi pottery that spans multiple generations.

Fawn learned the art of pottery-making directly from her mother, often collaborating with her on pieces during her early years. This hands-on apprenticeship gave her a deep understanding of traditional methods, from hand-coiling and shaping to the use of natural clay slips and outdoor firing. Over time, Fawn developed her own distinctive voice, while remaining rooted in the stylistic traditions of her family and the Hopi-Tewa community.

She creates a range of pottery forms, but is particularly known for her skill in making flat ceramic tiles—a difficult and delicate format that is especially prone to cracking during the firing process. These pieces showcase her technical precision and mastery of form.

Fawn’s favorite design motifs include rainbirds, parrots, feathers, and cloud elements, all of which hold deep symbolic meaning within Hopi culture. Her work reflects both reverence for natural forces and a commitment to the spiritual and ceremonial traditions of her people. Each piece is hand-formed, painted with natural pigments, and traditionally outdoor-fired, preserving the integrity and authenticity of Hopi pottery techniques.

Fawn Navasie’s pottery has been exhibited and collected widely, admired for both its beauty and its continuation of a profound cultural heritage.