Hopi Kachina Dolls: Blessings for a Balanced World

Kachina dolls (tithu) represent Katsinam, spirits who bring much-needed moisture and keep the world in balance for the Hopi, an Indigenous tribe in arid northeastern Arizona. Carved from cottonwood and distinctively painted, the dolls are treasured gifts from the Katsinam, given exclusively to Hopi girls and women. This exhibition is the first to examine the Hopi kachina doll tradition from their recipients’ perspective. The Brooklyn Museum’s Center for Feminist Art is a natural home for this unprecedented presentation foregrounding Hopi women’s experiences, knowledge, and creative expression.

Fifty-three dolls, drawn from the Museum’s far-reaching Indigenous art collection, are among more than 120 works on view. These tithu illustrate key phases of a Hopi woman’s life—from infancy, when a baby girl first receives a simple flat doll, to adulthood, when tithu become more complex and women honor their important relationships to the Katsinam through prayer and participation in social dances. The exhibition also celebrates Hopi women’s creativity and resilience, showing how they have long sustained their society by producing Katsinam-inspired artwork for community members, tourists, and collectors alike. Exquisitely crafted baskets, jewelry, and ceramics illuminate the deep history and ongoing story of Hopi women’s artistry. Hear directly from featured artists through new video interviews, in which these women share their dedication to Hopi culture.