Zuni Kachina Little Fire God By Bart Gasper Jr.

Bart Gasper Jr. is a contemporary Zuni Pueblo artist renowned for his authentic carvings of Zuni kachinas, fetishes, and ritual figures.  Based in Zuni, New Mexico, he specializes in traditional styles using materials like cottonwood root, often incorporating intricate details such as inlaid stones (e.g., turquoise, coral), etched surfaces, and symbolic elements like heartlines.  His work draws directly from Zuni oral traditions and ceremonies, emphasizing cultural preservation.  Gasper Jr. is represented by galleries like Keshi The Zuni Connection (a nonprofit supporting Zuni artists) and Toh-Atin Gallery.  He comes from a family of artisans—his father, Bart Gasper Sr., was an award-winning kachina carver known for detailed pieces like the Shulawitsi.

Bart Gasper Jr. began to carve traditional kachina dolls when he was 12, after being initiated into the art form by listening to stories from the elders.  "They told us who our Zuni kachinas were and how they dressed.  I just grabbed some knives, found some wood, and started carving," he explains.  "I enjoy making kachinas because it allows me to express my traditions."