Isvaki Gallery owner travels to Croatia

Hopi member shares culture and Hopi prehistory in the Mediterranean

ZAGREB, Croatia - Traveling with renowned Ute-Navajo flutist, R. Carlos Nakai, Hopi tribal member Bob Lomadafkie of Hotevilla Village spent nine days on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. He mixed with Croats, Serbs, Italians, Hungarians and Czechs, exchanging Hopi culture, exhibiting his award winning jewelry featuring 2009-10 Miss Croatia as his jewelry model and enjoying the balmy sea atmosphere in Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, known for its warm air and friendly people.

Lomadafkie gave presentations on Hopi prehistory emphasizing a contemporary Hopi lifestyle and how it relates to art creativity and innovation to a non-Native audience comprised of mostly Croatian artists and scholars.

Explaining how modern day Hopi metal-smithing was originally introduced to the Hopi people, Lomadafkie was also able to share some perspective on how personal adornment was affected by religious applications for Hopi, Zuni and Navajo jewelry making.

One full day in Zagreb was devoted to Lomadafkie's jewelry process, paralleled by having a master Croatian jeweler work alongside him for the design and creation exhibition for the visiting public.

The nine-day tour was arranged by the Croatian Office of Cultural Affairs.

Lomadafkie was a first pick Native artist scholar's choice since he serves as the resident Hopi elder for Northern Arizona University's Applied Indigenous Studies program, doubling up working half days and weekends at his gallery.

This recent visit is part of a pilot project for the Croatian Cultural Affairs Office in the hopes of seeking out other Native American artists and performers to visit Europe in more cross-cultural exchanges.

Lomadafkie, of the Coyote Clan, has been in the art and gallery business for over 30 years and this was not his first visit to Europe. He has served as a cultural consultant in Sweden in 1978 and also as a design consultant for a German art house in 2001.

Upon his return to the U.S., the Hopi master jeweler said, "The trip was fantastic. The food and sea air so wonderful. The art dialogue from some of the visiting artists and their art patrons was so stimulating and informative. I learned so much and was inspired by many of the Croatian buildings, customs and songs. I am anxious to get back into the studio to work on some new pieces with some new designs that were inspired while there. It was a great trip."

Lomadafkie's Isvaki Gallery is located downtown Flagstaff on Aspen Street across from the historic Monte Vista Hotel.

Isvaki Gallery is often a highlighted stop-off for tourists visiting Northern Arizona's art scene during the first week of every month.